Edible Cactus,
Nopale Opuntia spp.
Nopale Opuntia spp.
Cactus has been used for food for at least
9000 years in Mexico. Nopale Cactus
have little or no spines and a good
cleaning and scrubbing will remove
spines and the little button like glochids
where the spines would be if it had some.
After washing and removing the edge
skin they can be eaten raw as part of a
salad, or dipped in dressing and eaten
that way, --they can also be cooked and
served like string beans, they have a
good flavor similar to green beans, with a
little extra hint of lemon. This cactus is
very low maintenance, and requires very
little water or fertilizer. The Fruit can be
eaten in most varieties, but it doesn't
taste quite as good as the spiny ones.
Above, see how big the plants can get
with good care. -Below is a close up of
the pads, see the little fleshy growths
sticking out of this very young pad, --this
is the stage of growth when they are
ideal to eat.
Below, -This is an older pad, still edible
but not as tender.
9000 years in Mexico. Nopale Cactus
have little or no spines and a good
cleaning and scrubbing will remove
spines and the little button like glochids
where the spines would be if it had some.
After washing and removing the edge
skin they can be eaten raw as part of a
salad, or dipped in dressing and eaten
that way, --they can also be cooked and
served like string beans, they have a
good flavor similar to green beans, with a
little extra hint of lemon. This cactus is
very low maintenance, and requires very
little water or fertilizer. The Fruit can be
eaten in most varieties, but it doesn't
taste quite as good as the spiny ones.
Above, see how big the plants can get
with good care. -Below is a close up of
the pads, see the little fleshy growths
sticking out of this very young pad, --this
is the stage of growth when they are
ideal to eat.
Below, -This is an older pad, still edible
but not as tender.
Cactus starts are $10
Shipping is $5, for up
to 3 items.
To order E-mail me--
Michael@michaels4gar
dens.com
Shipping is $5, for up
to 3 items.
To order E-mail me--
Michael@michaels4gar
dens.com
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I have varieties with thorns also, --contact me
if you are interested in these, [they have
better tasting fruit.]
How to use the pads
Here is a picture of the thorny kind, and step
by step preparation , if you have the [mostly]
thorn less kind it will be easier.
First get a pair of gloves or tongs , and a bowl
or bucket, hold on to the pad with the tongs
and cut it off the plant leaving about an inch
still attached to the plant. Harvest as many as
you need and place them in the bowl.
After you pick the pads then wash and scrape
the pads with the edge of a sharp knife, to
remove all glochids, and thorns.
Then cut the edge off all around, take off
about 1/4 to 3/8 inch, [this gets rid of the
thorns left on the edge and the tougher skin]
Now rinse the pads well and they are ready to
use.
Now the Pads can be cut up for your recipe
or roasted whole, --I will show one way of
cutting them up[for my stir-fry recipe]
Fried cactus strips with sausage
and onions
Cut the Pads into strips [like in this picture]
if you are interested in these, [they have
better tasting fruit.]
How to use the pads
Here is a picture of the thorny kind, and step
by step preparation , if you have the [mostly]
thorn less kind it will be easier.
First get a pair of gloves or tongs , and a bowl
or bucket, hold on to the pad with the tongs
and cut it off the plant leaving about an inch
still attached to the plant. Harvest as many as
you need and place them in the bowl.
After you pick the pads then wash and scrape
the pads with the edge of a sharp knife, to
remove all glochids, and thorns.
Then cut the edge off all around, take off
about 1/4 to 3/8 inch, [this gets rid of the
thorns left on the edge and the tougher skin]
Now rinse the pads well and they are ready to
use.
Now the Pads can be cut up for your recipe
or roasted whole, --I will show one way of
cutting them up[for my stir-fry recipe]
Fried cactus strips with sausage
and onions
Cut the Pads into strips [like in this picture]
Now heat a fry pan and cook some sausage
[or bacon] and then take it out leaving the
grease and juice , then add the pad strips[use
a very hot pan, to sear the strips.
[or bacon] and then take it out leaving the
grease and juice , then add the pad strips[use
a very hot pan, to sear the strips.
Sear the strips on high until browned , then add
the sausage crumbles, and some Onion, and
chilies if you want, [I use a lot of Habanero
Peppers] cook for about 2 more min, and serve.
the sausage crumbles, and some Onion, and
chilies if you want, [I use a lot of Habanero
Peppers] cook for about 2 more min, and serve.
This is one of my favorites, --I also like the
raw pads added to salads, -if you cut the Pads
into cubes they are good added to soups and
stews
raw pads added to salads, -if you cut the Pads
into cubes they are good added to soups and
stews
I recently found a
great little
Cookbook, -it is
called
The Prickly Pear
Cookbook by Carolyn
Niethammer isbn
1-887896-56-2
It was $14.95
great little
Cookbook, -it is
called
The Prickly Pear
Cookbook by Carolyn
Niethammer isbn
1-887896-56-2
It was $14.95