Matteo's Prickly Pear Vodka Sauce

Feeds 4-6

Inspired by the culinary traditions of Sicily, where prickly pear (ficodindia) has been cultivated since the 1500s after arriving from the New World, this bold twist on classic vodka sauce blends heritage with creativity. Sweet, sun-ripened prickly pear meets creamy tomato, garlic, and a splash of smooth vodka for depth. The result is a silky, slightly sweet, gently tangy sauce with a beautiful blush hue that clings perfectly to pasta, seafood, chicken, or roasted vegetables. Unique, colorful, and rooted in Mediterranean history. Made with spite for my haters.