News

In Curacao, Cactus for Lunch

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - October 29, 2014

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

I’ve eaten goat, tripe and ostrich in my travels but this is a first.

As the Curaçao sun beats mercilessly down on our jeep pulled over on the arid north coast, tour guide Michel is bounding out of the vehicle to a stand of cacti, machete poised. He takes a few swipes at a stalk about three feet high; lops off a six-inch section, and brings it over to us, impaled on the end of his blade.

Michel tells us that they use cactus here to make soup, and that his mother-in-law cooks a delicious version. She’s also shown him how to peel and de-prickle the stalks, so you can eat the cactus raw. Grabbing a fork, he demonstrates his newly acquired skills, first removing the spikes, peeling off the tough outer skin, and cutting the remaining light green flesh into small chunks. Now who wants to try it?

cactus2

When my hand shoots up, frankly I’m as surprised as he is. Vegetables have never been my friend, and I’ve only just acquired the taste for avocado. But when in Curaçao …

As seven pairs of eyes watch for my reaction, I gingerly pull the half-inch cube from the tines of the fork and tentatively bring it to my lips.

I chew. I swallow. I survive.

Turns out that raw cactus doesn’t really have much of a taste. The watery and slightly crunchy texture is much like cucumber, but the flavor is even more delicate. And there’s an okra-like slime that I can’t say I particularly care for.

cac3

Still, I’ve tried it and now I can have an opinion about the spiny succulent. “We use it to thicken and give body to the soup,” Michel tells me, “but in Bonaire, they use cactus to make a really good liqueur called Cadushy.”

cact4

Bingo! My first visit to the neighboring island is already on my schedule for next month. And now, when I touch down, I know what my first priority will be. After all, when in Bonaire …

Popular Posts caribbean travel

The Caribbean Travel Awards 2025

More than 32 million people visited the Caribbean in 2023, and that number should be eclipsed by the end of this year. In other words, the Caribbean is more popular than ever — deepening its position not just as the world’s […]


Royalton Just Reopened These Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resorts After a $32 Million Upgrade 

punta cana all-inclusive royalton

One is family-friendly. The other is an adults-only escape. They’re both part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, both set on a beautiful stretch of beach in Punta Cana.  And they both just reopened after a sweeping $32 million upgrade.  The adjacent […]


Marriott Just Opened a New Hotel in an Up-and-Coming Dominican Republic Destination 

Dominican Republic Marriott Santiago

Travelers are flocking to the Dominican Republic right now, from the all-inclusive hotspot of Punta Cana to the uncrowded beaches of Miches — leading to record-breaking visitor numbers for the Caribbean tourism powerhouse. But in recent years, another city in the […]


Related Posts belize ambergris caye resort

In Ambergris Caye, Belize, a Legendary Caribbean Beach Resort With Thatched-Roof Bungalows and Some of the World's Best Diving

It’s almost hard to believe it’s here. You step out of your golf cart from the bustling main road in San Pedro and open the wooden door and are instantly transported.  Somehow, you’ve found yourself in a lush, tropical oasis, […]


Club Med Just Opened a New Water Park in the Dominican Republic 

water park

It’s one of the most in-demand amenities for families traveling with kids right now: an on-site water park. More and more properties continue to add the amenity, particularly those of the all-inclusive variety, and now that includes Club Med, which […]


Flying From France to Caribbean Islands Like Tortola and St Barth? It Just Got Easier.  

british virgin islands ferry

Heading to the Caribbean from Paris? Whether it’s Tortola, St Barth, Statia or Antigua, it just got a whole lot easier to book your trip.  St Maarten-based Winair, which flies all over the Caribbean out of Princess Juliana International Airport, […]