A few years back, when they were restoring the Mission San Xavier
here in Tucson, they were largely unsuccessful at repairing the
stucco protecting the adobe underneath.
They tried all sorts of high tech materials, but they just wouldn't
work.
An old Mexican adobero was brought in, and he started mixing up a
concoction that seemed to work. The magic ingredient...
Prickly Pear
Turns out it was the same stuff they used back when they built the
church 220 years ago.
So those of you that choose to use it - leave a little note so that
the owners in 2208 will know what the heck to use to fix it.
Or they can look up the great-great-great-great-great-great-
grandchild of that adobero.
Depending on where you live, it is just the start of the Nopalito
season. Prickly Pear send up new pads in the spring. The older pads
are woody and inedible - perfect for papercrete plaster.
But the tender new pads are real good eats. Peel the spines off, cut
into strips, and stir fry with some tomatoes, garlic, and onions.
Squeeze in a little limon and throw into a fresh handmade tortilla.
mmmmmm...
Next fall we can harvest the Prickly Pear fruit.
Who says we don't have seasons here in the desert. ;o)
Randy
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