A New Look at an Old Vegetable

A few years ago I invited our new neighbors over for a get-acquainted dinner. The prickly pear cacti in my yard were sporting delicious-looking young pads so I decided to make a Nopal Salsa and serve it as an appetizer.

I cut the tender edible cactus pads, called nopales, boiled them in water and removed the spines. Then I mixed them with other ingredients for a colorful salsa and served them with home-made tortilla chips and frosty margaritas.

The neighbors dug into the salsa and thought it was delicious. But when I mentioned they were enjoying the cactus from my front yard, they both stopped eating in mid-bite. I assured them the salsa was made with a vegetable that’s an important part of the menu in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico.

Nopales (pronounced noh-PAH-lays) are the tender, edible cactus pads from the familiar prickly pear cactus (Opuntia species). Once the spines are removed, the fleshy pads are cooked and used in many different recipes from salads to salsas. The prepared nopalitos taste a little like a slightly tangy well-cooked green bean.

According to recent research, nopales are a high fiber, low calorie, low-sodium vegetable. They are also high in potassium and a good source of Vitamins A and C. Researchers believe nopales are a natural way to lower cholesterol and to help manage blood sugar for those with type 2 diabetes.

Easy Does It

Whenever I’m getting ready to harvest the cactus pads, I make sure I gear up with heavy-duty gloves, my Hori Hori knife, kitchen tongs or pliers and a colander. The Hori Hori slices through the cactus and then I carefully collect the pads with the tongs.

I only cut a few of the youngest, smallest and most tender pads. Then I wash them and place them in a pan of water and bring to a boil for about 30 minutes. The water is drained and the nopales allowed to cool before the spines are scraped off with a sharp knife.

If you don’t have your own prickly pear cacti growing in the yard, jars of prepared nopales can be found at specialty grocery stores or ordered from online suppliers.

Nopales Salsa Recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
¼ cup chopped nopales
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup diced green chiles
¼ cup seeded and chopped tomatoes
½ cup water
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

• Heat oil in a skillet and add onions.
• Fry onions for several minutes or until translucent.
• Add nopales, chiles and tomatoes and fry for several minutes.
• Add water, cover and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes or until water is absorbed.
• Refrigerate for several hours to let the flavors mingle.

Makes about 1 cup salsa. Serve as a salsa with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos, burritos or scrambled eggs.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Spearhead Shade Gardening Shovel with Steel-Reinforced Fiberglass Handle

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Reduce Digging Effort - The Spear Head Spade is the first hybrid shovel/spade, guaranteed to make your toughest digging up to 80% easier than regular shovels and spades, even in the toughest soil conditions. Ideal for landscaping and gardening. Multi-Purpose Shovel - Spear Head Spade is a versatile tool that can be used for digging, planting, weeding, cutting, and edging. It is designed to handle tough soil and clay conditions, and can cut through roots and tough vegetation with ease. Innovative Design - Has a unique blade design that makes it more efficient and easier to use than traditional spades. The blade is shaped like a spearhead, with a pointed tip and a curved edge that allows it to penetrate the soil more easily. Ergonomic D-Handle - The large, cushioned D-grip offers comfort and better leverage for gloved and ungloved hands alike, reducing strain on the hands and wrists. Lightweight & Strong - Durable handle is made of special steel-reinforced, pultruded fiberglass to withstand heavy use. 60% stronger than EN-3388 shovel/spade standards, 33% thicker and 25% harder than normal shovels. Sharpened from tip to tail at a 35 degree angle for an effective and durable edge.

Buy at Amazon

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon

Nothers RooTrimmer 50 Cell, 10pcs

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

50 cell plastic seedling deep trays, each size is 3.54" deep, big holes, side 1.89" x 1.89", hold larger volume of the soil which can be better for trees, longer rhizomas or similar tall growing plants. Fits for standard 10" 20" trays. 10pcs per pack trays, thicker and more durable, 1mm thick trays for long term use, sturdy to carry and transport. Indoor or greenhouse propagation or nursery is good.

Buy at Amazon