I'd never heard of Barbados gooseberry, so had to look it up - I don't think it will grow here as it seems to be a tropical crop.
from
Pereskia aculeata
Like other members of the genus Pereskia, these plants are unusual cacti with spiny non-succulent stems and large leaves.
It is a scrambling vine growing to 10 m (33 ft) tall in trees, with stems 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) thick. Younger stems have hooked thorns and older stems have clusters of woody spines.
Looks like Teresa has some locally to her and
uses the leaves on occasion, although it seems that the fruit (the 'gooseberry') is also nice. The flowers look beautiful!