How To Eat Cactus

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  • Although you may have think that cacti are just for decorating your home or garden, believe it or not, you can eat them too. If you're interested in trying it out and are wondering how to eat cactus, refer to the instructions listed in this guide.

  • Introduction

    • Once the spines have been removed, the pads of the prickly pear cactus, which are also referred to as nopales, can be eaten. Nopales are included in several Mexican dishes, and have a taste that has been described as similar, although slightly tarter than green beans. Nopales are not only considered tasty by many fans, but are also high in fiber, antioxidants and vitamins A, B, C and K.

  • Step 1: Harvesting Nopales

    • If you have a prickly pear of your own, or know of an area where there are several, you can harvest them on your own. However, be certain that you are, in fact, harvesting pads from the prickly pear cactus, as some other similar-looking types of cactus are not fit for human consumption. Look for smaller pads that are bright green in color and firm.
    • To harvest nopales, you will need:
    1. A sharp knife
    2. A pair of gloves
    3. A bag
    4. A pair of tongs
    • Once you have found a nopale that you want to harvest:
    1. Grab it with the tongs
    2. Use the knife to cut the pad at the joint
    3. Place the removed portion of the cactus into your bag

  • Step 2: Preparing Nopales to Eat

    • Until the spines have been removed, always handle nopales with gloves to avoid getting pricked.
    1. Use a paring knife or vegetable peeler to remove the spines and skin from the cactus pads
    2. You can also burn the spines off by placing the nopales on a barbecue or gas burner for a few minutes, and then flipping them over to burn the spines off the other side
    3. Once the spines are removed, rinse the pads under cold water
    4. Remove any bruised or discolored spots with a knife

  • Step 3: How to Eat Nopales

    • Nopales are a common addition to several Mexican dishes. Some ways in which they may be consumed include:
    1. Sliced and added to salad or soup
    2. Cut into small pieces and cooked with scrambled eggs
    3. Boiled and served with butter, salt and pepper
    4. Added to storebought or homemade salsa
    5. Breaded and fried into crispy snack treats
    6. Added to tacos, burritos and other Mexican dishes

  • Conclusion

    • Although not everyone enjoys the taste, the pads of the prickly pear are a common addition to many Mexican dishes and can be consumed much like a vegetable. If you have the chance, give them a try, but always be sure to wear gloves when handling nopales that have not been peeled.

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