How they eat cactus leaves?

Question

On a visit to California I noticed some supermarkets selling cactus leaves, I presume it's mainly consumed by the American Mexicans , Do you know how they taste like and how they prepare them?

Answer 1

They're called nopales, or nopalitos. They're from the prickly pear cactus, and are good in salads or soups. They're also supposed to be good for regulating blood sugar, btw. Sometimes my husband and I have cooked them into eggs, like in scrambled eggs or in an omelette, and that's not bad, either (although not the traditional way to eat them).

Answer 2

Nopales make a wonderful salad to go with Mexican food as a side dish. They have a flavor that is delicate like asparagus, or green beans, but of course their own distinct essence. They have a crisp but firm texture, slightly chewy but very delicious. They can stand up to anything you add to them. When I can not find Nopales I use fresh and steamed green beans as an alternative. Buy them in a jar - remove and rinse them well and let them drain. If they are very large pieces, cut them into thirds (about two inches). Mince a little white onion, and add a diced small tomato, toss with a vinaigrette of 3 parts oil to one part red wine vinegar and a good ts of salt. Toss and refrigerate, tossing again before serving really cold. I serve this as a side to Chicken Mole and Mexican rice which is rice sauteed in a little oil first until they begin to brown, then adding a little minced onion and a green chile if you have it. Nopales are very special, once you taste them correctly, you will want to do the recipe again. Good luck.

Answer 3

My mother used to cook them in Spanish they are called "nopales". Slice thin cross wise and cut into small to medium pieces. Fried with spicy pork rinds " get the good kind not the name brands, a can of tomato sauce, sliced jalapenos and and chopped onion. Season to taste. Be warned the get slimy when boiled, so rinse them well. They can be used in place of green beans or any vegetable.

Answer 4

There are many ways to eat nopales.One of my favorites is to grill them after rubbing off the glochids/spines. Sprinkle a little lime juice on them & you are ready to go. They have a distinctive tast to them - kinda sour even without the limes.
What I don't eat I feed to my tortoises - it is an excellent reptile food as well!

No I'm not of Mexican descent - I'm of Irish descent, just like to try different things!

Answer 5

I lived in Mexico City and that is the first place I tried them.

They were grilled on the barbecue with lime and salt - along with green onions and the meat.

They are then sliced up and mixed up with the barbecued food - with another squirt of lemon and salt. Some add hot sauce if they like it.

They are excellent. Especially sliced with beef and cheese in tacos. And very good for you. They are considered the "garlic" of Mexico as far as their properties are concerned.

Answer 6

prickly pear cactus or in spanish "nopales" (no-pal-es). only new growth is picked. they are picked with tongs or thick gloves. they are then held over a fire to burn off the stickers. they are then peeled like an apple, cut up and left to drain excess liquid. ready to cook. native americans liked them, too. can't describe the taste but i like them

Answer 7

I buy them pickled in jars. I don't know what the tradiational way to eat them is, but I put them on a corn tortilla with queso blanco and a squirt of lime juice. very good! they kinda have the texture of eggplant, but less starchy.

Answer 8

there are many ways to eat nopales. the best way, i think, is to boil them then mix them with tomatoe, onion and jalapenos. Like a salad

Answer 9

They are called PADS, not leaves. As for how o prepare them, I dont know.

Answer 10

without the spines for me?