What are nopales—and can you eat them?
W hile nopales (cactus pads) are a common part of Mexican cuisine, registered dietitian Krista Linares, RD, says they're severely underutilized by many here in the U.S. " Nopales are the big, green paddle parts of the cactus plant and they can be eaten in a whole variety of ways," she says.
What is a nopal cactus?
The nopal cactus has been a staple of the Mesoamerican diet for millennia. To this day it’s an extremely popular vegetable in Mexican cuisine. Nopales show up everywhere, in salads, side dishes, mixed into eggs, and of course on tacos.
How long do nopales stay fresh?
It’s always better to buy vegetables and ingredients in the local supermarket, so you can check on quality and freshness. Also, nopales can stay fresh in the refrigerator for a couple of weeks. All you have to do is wrap it tightly in plastic. Are there any health benefits of eating Nopales?
Do nopal cactus paddles make you taller?
When cooked and ingested nopal cactus paddles make you a little taller, a little thinner, and slightly better looking. Not surprisingly, then, a recent study revealed that on average more people wanted to do things while naked with subjects who regularly ate nopal cactus paddles than with comparable subjects who ate a placebo cactus.
What is nopales in Mexican food?
Nopales, or cactus paddles, are the pads of the prickly pear cactus. They're a very common ingredient in Mexican cuisine and are used in all sorts of dishes, including tacos and salad. They have a thick and meaty texture with a mild flavor that's a cross between asparagus and okra.
Are Nopales Tacos vegetarian?
These vegetarian Nopales Tacos feature nopalitos (aka cactus pads), red chile sauce, caramelized onions, charred corn, and fresh toppings. With plenty of vitamins and minerals, they're a healthy way to shake up #MeatlessMonday or #TacoTuesday (or any other night of the week) in about 30 minutes!
How do you make nopales not slimy?
Preheat an oven to 375°F. Dice your nopales and toss with a little salt, as much as you'd want just to season them (so a lot less than when you prep them raw). Arrange in one layer on a baking sheet and bake about 20 to 30 minutes. The slime will ooze out and dry up.
What's the difference between nopales and nopalitos?
Nopal means cactus in Spanish and Nopales is term for "cactus stem". The term Nopalitos refers to the pads once they are cut up and prepared for eating. There are two food crops derived from the prickly pear cactus.
What does nopales taste like?
What's it taste like? Nopales have a moist crunchy texture with with a slightly slimy texture similar to okra. In terms of flavour, they are tart, with a slightly citrusy taste.
What does cactus taste like?
Although you can't eat all cacti species and you'll also have to take care of how you choose to eat them. A cactus has a very sour taste. The sticky and crunchy pads taste like green vegetables, particularly like asparagus. Some cactus pads may also taste like green beans or green peppers.
Can nopales be eaten raw?
Nopales are also edible when raw. When a person dices them, they resemble a green pepper. Additionally, people can turn them into juice, jams, or tea. Individuals can also eat prickly pear fruit, which is the small, rounded, and often colorful part of the nopal plant.
What are the benefits of eating nopales?
There are also a number of medicinal uses, thanks to this cactus's varied health benefits.It's an antiviral. ... It protects nerve cells. ... It's high in antioxidants. ... It can regulate blood sugar levels. ... It can treat enlarged prostate. ... It may reduce cholesterol. ... It can eliminate hangovers.
How long do nopales take to cook?
about 15-20 minutesAdd prepared nopales and boil for about 15-20 minutes, or until tender. You want to boil out the gelatinous substance that will ooze out of the nopales. When tender, drain well and then add to recipe.
Is prickly pear the same as nopales?
Nopal (from the Nahuatl word nohpalli [noʔˈpalːi] for the pads of the plant) is a common name in Spanish for Opuntia cacti (commonly referred to in English as prickly pear), as well as for its pads.
How do you eat nopales?
0:031:32How to Prepare Nopales (Cactus Pads) | Sunset - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd lay a pad flat scrape. A nice knife. Across each side to shave off the spines. And the barbedMoreAnd lay a pad flat scrape. A nice knife. Across each side to shave off the spines. And the barbed fuzzy dots. Now take a vegetable peeler and pare around the rim to remove any spiny.
Are nopales a fruit or a vegetable?
Nopales are a form of vegetable made from the soft pads of underdeveloped prickly pear cacti. These tasty vegetative pads are either green or purple and are roughly the size of a person's hand. They have a consistency somewhere between green beans and green peppers and are added to eggs and steak stir-fry.
Quick Caramelized Onions
Start the onions - To a skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil, add the thin-sliced onions. Add a few grinds of sea salt (about ¼ teaspoon). If I'm in a hurry, I leave the heat at medium-high, and keep a close eye on the onions, stirring often.
Charred Corn
Make the charred corn - I didn't include images for the corn because it's so simple. I have a recipe for skillet Mexican charred corn that's much fancier. For these nopales tacos on photo day, I added about a teaspoon of oil to the same cast iron skillet over high heat.
Nopalitos and Red Chile Sauce
Sauté the nopalitos - With either a drizzle of oil or some cooking spray, add the diced nopalitos to a skillet on medium-high heat. Sauté until the mucilaginous liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally. This process usually takes me 7 to 10 minutes.
Nutrition
NOTE: Macronutrients are an approximation only using unbranded ingredients and MyFitnessPal.com. Please do your own research with the products you’re using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Cactus Paddles - also known as nopales and prickly pear cactus, this is a common vegetable in Mexico and can be cooked by boiling or grilling. It’s slimy like okra and the flavor is almost like green beans but a bit acidic.
Tips & Suggestions
Garnish - tacos always taste better with some garnish! For this recipe, slices of avocado, sour cream with lime juice, and crumbled cotija are highly recommended for a full and better taco experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nopales can keep up to a week in a refrigerator. Just place it in a sealed plastic bag to keep it fresh. Freezing nopales is not recommended since the quality can be affected.
Ingredients
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Cooking Instructions
To prepare the Cactus Paddles (4) , scrub them under water with a firm bristled brush. Wear a glove on the hand you are holding the paddle with to prevent yourself from getting any thorns in your fingers.
Recommended Recipes
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The Nopal Cactus
There are over 100 species of nopal cactus (members of the genus Opuntia) in Mexico and the American Southwest. As fans of the Disney film The Jungle Book are surely aware, in the United States we call them Prickly Pears, thanks to their bright, bulbous, edible fruit. The large paddle shaped pads that make up the body of the cactus are also edible.
Can Nopal (Prickly Pear) Cactus Cure Type 2 Diabetes?
How’s that for a click-baity headline? If you do a bit of searching around the internet about the health benefits of the nopal or “prickly pear” cactus, you’ll soon run across some pretty astounding claims about type 2 diabetes.
About This Nopal Cactus Taco Recipe
If you’re a vegetarian or a vegan this nopal cactus taco recipe is anathema to you. It’s the carne asada. In fact, if you’re a vegetarian or a vegan you’re not even reading this, which means it’s highly unlikey that you, reader, are a vegetarian or a vegan.
What are Nopales?
Nopales represent the prickly pear cactus paddles. Most Mexican markets sell it, as they are the edible parts of the cactus. These green pads are often grilled and left whole, or they can also be chopped to use it for salads, soups or other dishes.
Where to buy Nopales?
Where in the US can I buy Nopales? Online, we know that Amazon sells fresh Nopales here. There are other specialized vendors as well. The best Nopales you will of course find in Mexico. Most (if not all) Mexican restaurants will also have nopales on the menu. It’s an extremely popular ingredient in Mexican cuisine.
Are there any health benefits of eating Nopales?
Eating Nopales can offer many health benefits. Some of these benefits include:
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