Anyone ever shave a cactus, edible (or inedible)?

[dale662]

Has anyone done this to make it safer? My friend is always ending up with thorns in her skin, so I wondered if I could use an electric razor on it to help protect her. Thanks.

[Billy]

You need to remove the little bump that the thorn protrudes from as well. You might try a vegetable peeler, and gloves.

[Omelet]

Most cattle ranchers use blow torches.

Seriously.

[gunner]

Good how-to info and pics from Rolly's site: he usually hangs out in Alt.Food.Mexican.Cooking but maybe taking the summer off:

don't do cacti well up here in Western WA State so I buy them in a jar and bonus by saving the hassle of the little no-see-em thorns. Here is a link if you don't have them in your stores.

[dale662]

k.com/nopales.htm

Thanks to all who responded. However, I meant "How to take thorns off an _ornamental_ cactus." Thanks again.

[Omelet]

Seriously, you could try a small torch and apply it carefully...

[Rick]

On the ranch in AZ we routinely used to prickley pear for the cattle. Fire did not seem to harm the cactus.

[Omelet]

I'd heard of that here in Texas too. That's why I mentioned it. :-)