Where can I buy cactus?

Question

My brother needs to make a cactus-containing recipe for a school project. We live in a small midwestern town. Do you know of any stores that carry cactus? Thanks!

Answer 1

You can get it canned in the ethnic section of a grocery store. It's called nopales. Just peel and add to your recipe.

Answer 2

Hi Estrella. All you need to do is go to your local Mexican/Latino/Hispanic grocery store and look for them in the produce section. I usually buy the ones that are already cleaned (no thorns) and cut... they come in a 1-1/2 lb. bag and are called "NOPALES". Now, if there aren't any of these stores where y live... try and see if any of the Hispanic community has some NOPALES in their backyard. All you would have to do then is ask if they could clean a couple (4-6 depending on the size) for you. On the other hand, you can probably get "NOPALES" at your local supermarket/grocery store if you go to their 'Ethnic' section or 'Mexican' section... they come in a glass jar and are already cooked for you (usually La Costena, Herdez, there are several brands).

If you need a fast and easy recipe here it is:

1. Give the NOPALES a quick rinse
2. Put water, salt, 1 piece of garlic to boil
3. Add the NOPALES
4. Meanwhile the NOPALES boil (about 30 minutes)
* dice up 1 tomato
* Dice up 1/2 an onion (white/yellow)
* Cut up some cilantro (about 1/2 a bunch)
5. Drain the NOPALES and let cool (DON'T RINSE)
6. Combine everything together and add salt

GOOD LUCK!!

Answer 3

In the mexican food section for an item called "Nopales", that is spanish for an edible cactus and it is often canned. Do you have a section for organic foods? A latin market? A specialty market that sales produce and health food type place. Not all cactus is edible. There is the pricklely pear that is in a sweet syrup and can be used for a dessert recipe. The places I know of are called Wild Oats and Natural Eats but they may not be in your town. Call the manager of your local GNC store and they will most likely know where to find it nearby.

Answer 4

Good luck. I have lived in the midwest and in the south west. Cactus is hard to find up there. Do you have a Whole foods market or a specialty whole food or gourmet food store? Are you near a big city that has a "Mexican Village" within? If you can't find it nearby and you have a few days, maybe you can order it on line and have it shipped.

We have napolitos at all the grocery stores here. It's a whole different world up there, good luck.

Answer 5

Most grocery stores in my area sell cactus. Of course, I live in Texas so that can make a difference. Is there a Whole Food Store in a city near you? What about ethnic food stores in a city? You can always Google. The good news is that if you buy them in a food store, they usually come without the thorns.

Answer 6

I work for wal-mart and they carry fresh cactus in the produce department and a canned cactus in the hispanic food section.I would also say any high end grocer with alot of specialty or gourmet foods.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

The produce section of most ethnic grocery stores and if there's an ethnic food aisle in your local grocery store there should be canned cactus there as well.

Answer 9

Usually you will find it in the produce aisle of your grocery store. It's pretty standard anywhere I've traveled in the US. Otherwise, try your ethnic foods aisle, they'll more than likely have jarred cactus.

Answer 10

go where all the brown people are at. yes i can say that cuz i'm brown. hispanic markets or local garden shop but you can't eat just any cactus people, come on. my mom makes a great cactus dish, hmmm.