After a fantastic bloom, the cactus flowers turn into tunas, which can be green, red, wine-red, or orange. They’re commonly eaten in Mexico and Mediterranean regions, and they can also be made into aguas fresas.

Fun fact: I’ve lived in Texas almost my whole life and the only place I’ve eaten them is in Sicily, where they were served at breakfast. And they were tastier than you might think.

Yellowhouse Canyon, Texas
photographed 7.19.2024