What
Prickly Pear Harvest
When
Thursday, August 17 – Thursday, August 31
Where
Tanque Verde Ranch
14301 E. Speedway Blvd.
More Info
(520) 296-6275
tanqueverderanch.com
Every rose has its thorn, and every prickly pear has its spine, but don’t let that distract you from its tasty center.
Tanque Verde Ranch is hosting a two week Prickly Pear Harvest from Thursday, August 17 – Thursday, August 31.
The ranch is located on 60,000 acres of desert landscape, allowing you to travel through the cacti-laden trails of Saguaro National Park.
While you’re out there, you’ll get help harvesting prickly pear fruit and learn how to removing the unusable portions.
When you’re finished, you’ll be able to make delicious margaritas, syrups, and other refreshments.
Admission to the Prickly Pear Harvest is included with your stay at the ranch, with room rates starting at $345.
Prickly Pear Harvest Week One
9 – 10 a.m. Thursday, August 17 – Monday, August 21
- Join the team of natures lovers and venture into the desert to collect prickly pears for desserts and cocktails.
11 a.m. – noon Tuesday, August 22
- Learn how to prepare prickly pears ideally for cooking and other tasty treats.
11 – 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, August 23
- Discover the different ways to utilize your prickly pears for your after dinner desserts.
11 – 11:45 a.m. Thursday, August 24
- How to create “savory” from the prickly desert plant.
3 – 4 p.m. Friday, August 25
- Mosey on into the ranch’s Dog House Saloon to create different types of prickly pear cocktails.
Prickly Pear Harvest Week Two
9 – 10 a.m. Saturday, August 26 – Monday, August 28
- Take part in another adventure into the desert to collect prickly pears for desserts and cocktails.
11 a.m. – noon Tuesday, August 29
- Demonstration of the ideal ways to prepare prickly pears for cooking and other tasty treats.
11 – 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, August 30
- Learn the different ways to utilize your prickly pears for your after dinner delights.
1 – 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 30
- A demonstration on how to create “savory” from the prickly desert plant.
3 – 4 p.m. Thursday, August 31
- Take a trip over to the ranch’s Dog House Saloon to create different types of prickly pear cocktails.
Additional Prickly Pear Harvest activities include:
- Prickly pear t-shirts for all guests
- Supervised children’s program (ages 4-11)
- Horseback trail riding and lessons
- Scheduled breakfast rides and bar-b-cue cookouts
- Fishing, guided hikes, nature programs, mountain biking, bingo, and many other family activities
Tanque Verde Ranch is located at 14301 E. Speedway Blvd. For more information, call (520) 296-6275 or visit tanqueverderanch.com to reserve your room.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
