Have you eaten cactus? If so what does it taste like?

Question

I ate a cactus when I was a baby.... but i ate it right off the shelf =/

Answer 1

I agree, I've also eaten fresh cactus (I boiled it) as well as cactus from a jar, and it tasted like canned green beans both times (I don't care for green beans)

Answer 2

Different cactus plants have different kinds of fruit. My favorite cactus fruit is colorful and a little on the sweet side. They are called pitayas and available just before the rainy season starts. The large leaves of the nopal are very good, take the spines off, and slice and boil then combine with diced onions, diced tomato, and a little hot pepper they make a nice salad. Grilled with lemon juice ansd salt they are also very good. My favorite form is biled with pork meat to make soup.

Answer 3

Yes...I was in Puerto Vallarta in March and went on the Sierra Madre tour. We were taken on an open jeep into the mountains and as part of the tour, we visited a traditional Mexican home and the woman made hand-made tortillas and we were given fillings to put inside. One of them was cactus. It was green and slimy but with the salsa and beans, it actually tasted quite good. So, if you ever go to Puerto Vallarta and have the urge to taste cactus and go on a wild ride on an open jeep and drink tequila, I'd recommend the Sierra Madre tour....just hang onto your seat!!!

Answer 4

I remember I ate some kind of cactus soup during my vacation in Mexico. I also remember getting soooo sick after wards. I suppose it could be really good, but after my experience I'm not sure I'd eat it again.

(Don't eat the cactus in Mexico!) ☺

Answer 5

Do you mean prickly pear, which is a fruit of a specific type of cactus that grows mostly in the Middle East and Latin America? If you do, it is delicious! People who are not used to it may find it strange, as it is seedy, but consumed whole.

Answer 6

Lots of good ideas here. One suggestion to avoid the "slimy" problem which I personally don't like. First buy the "baby" nopal leaves (they are much smaller and MUCH more tender.) Then grill them on the barby till browning, add lemon and they are excellent!

(As already noted the pickled ones are great in salads and down here (Mexico City) they sometimes come with grilled green onions as extras to go with your tacos...)

Answer 7

I have used it in salsas and as a side veg, its flavour is similar to artichokes, a bit citrusy and can be a bit tough if not cooked well enough.

Latin American or Hispanic stores sometimes carry it fresh but more often it is canned or in jars, and sometimes frozen.

Answer 8

My brother-in-law's mother makes a really good pickled cactus casserole. It's really tangy.

Answer 9

They are excellent! There are many ways of eating it, including the fruit. The link below will provide you w/ lots of recipes. Have fun cooking!

Answer 10

I thought it tasted kinda like canned green beans.