What are the tiny, hair-like spines covering the prickly pear fruit and nopales that must be removed entirely before consumption?
Answer
Glochids
The text specifies that both the fruit and the flat pads, known as nopales, are covered in extremely irritating, tiny, hair-like spines that must be completely removed prior to eating. These spines are explicitly identified by the term glochids. Safe handling typically involves wearing gloves and using tongs, often utilizing methods like passing the fruit over an open flame or scrubbing with a vegetable brush to ensure these irritating elements are gone before preparation.
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