Nopalitos Salad with Pickled Chipotle
Ensalada de Nopalitos con Chipotle en Escabeche
Recipe Yield
4 Servings
Cooking time
30 minutes
Rate this recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1 cup white onion slivered
- 5 cloves garlic
- 2 dried chipotle peppers
- 2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
- 2 teaspoons kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 pound carrots peeled and cut into sticks
- 1/2 pound zucchini cut into half moons
- 1/2 pound cactus paddles cleaned and cut into sticks (1 1/2” to 2” long by 1/2” wide)
To Prepare
- Heat the oil in a large extended casserole over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion, garlic and dried chipotles, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes stirring occasionally until the onion begins to soften. Add the oregano and salt, and stir. Raise heat to high, add the vinegar, and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring a few times. Turn off heat and set aside to cool. (You can make this chipotle pickle ahead of time and store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.)
- Bring salted water to a boil in a large saucepan and take turns cooking the vegetables. First cook the carrots for 2 minutes, remove with a large spider or slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Then cook the zucchini for 30 to 40 seconds, remove with a slotted spoon and add to the bowl with the carrots. Lastly, add the nopales and cook for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water, for at least one minute, until all viscous liquid is removed.
- Incorporate the carrots, zucchini and nopales into the prepared chipotle pickle, toss well and scrape into a bowl or container. Let it sit and marinate for at least an hour before serving. You can also cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Mix well before eating.
Comments
35comments inNopalitos Salad with Pickled Chipotle
Carole
Jan 15
Where do I buy Nopalitos in Washington, DC? thanks!
Pati Jinich
Feb 04
You can find them in any Latin or Hispanic Market, I know they sell them in Panam Supermarket and in the Megamart grocery stores 🙂
Martha V
Jun 06
Have already made twice and I love it! Something else to do with nopales when they’re in season. Muchisimas gracias Pati. Enjoy watching your show, siempre.
Pati Jinich
Jun 12
Gracias Martha, un abrazo grande!
Dora Ontiveros
May 31
Una ensalada requisito.!!!
Pati Jinich
Jun 05
Siempre 😉
Catalina
Apr 13
No encuentro Ensalada de Nopalitos con Chipotle en Escabeche en espanol. Nomas encuentro Nopalitos Salad with Pickled Chipotle en ingles.
Pati Jinich
Apr 30
Aqui esta el enlace a la receta en Espanol Catalina, saludos! https://patijinich.com/es/ensalada-de-nopalitos-con-chipotle-en-escabeche/
Jaime
May 26
I hate nopales! Usually they taste worse than bland green beans. But I just made this, and it’s divine. Excellent recipe. I can’t stop eating.
Pati Jinich
May 28
Yay Jaime! So glad I made you give Nopalitos another chance, they are really yummy and very healthy as well 😉
Ana
May 02
With the quarantine on, goI got to the store is not easy. Can any other type of dried chili be substituted? Love the ingredients in this escabeche! Love your recipes, and your show!
Pati Jinich
May 04
Hey Ana, is hard to find a good substitute for dried chipotles, but you could use jalapenos instead. Your salad will not have the smoky flavor of the chipotles, but it will still be delicious!
Anonymous
Jan 19
Simple to make and oh so tasty. Made it today and it was delicious. Its paleo and whole 30 compliant. I recommend this to everyone who loves pickled vegetables.
Pati Jinich
Jan 19
So glad you enjoyed it!
Kathy
Jan 11
Wow! I love nopales, and I put them in everything, the recipe looks luscious, can’t wait to try this! Gracias Pati
Pati Jinich
Jan 12
Enjoy, Kathy!
Martha Munguia
Jan 10
Oh heck yeah!!! I went to market and I actually bought everything on the list just cause I was going to make another recipe and bought extra!! Now I can make this as well. I’m diabetic and can’t wait to make this. Thanks Pati!
Pati Jinich
Jan 12
Oh good! Enjoy this salad and your other recipe, Martha.
LindaTorres7@aol.com
May 30
Pati
Felicidades! love your creative recipes con nopalitos!
Do you have a recipe nopalitis w Chile Colorado? Por favor~
Pati Jinich
May 31
You can use nopalitos instead of chicken with this recipe: https://patijinich.com/pati_2020/coloradito-chicken/ Enjoy, Linda!
Julio navarro
Oct 02
Se ven riicooos a ver comp me salen con Las tortas de tasajo gracias x compartir tan ricas recetas soy un seguidor tuyo desde hace años x create tv saludos a toda la familia jinich y x tu Lado tambien
Pati
Oct 08
Mil gracias, Julio! Aquí es la receta: https://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/tasajo-torta-with-smoky-guacamole/
Jennie
Jan 21
First time watching the show and I just had to try this recipe. I could not find nopalitos so substituted green beans. It was delicious both hot and cold! I can wait to try it again with nopalitos.
Pati
Jan 22
Oh I’m glad you liked it and made it your own with the green beans!
Jaime
May 26
I think green beans are a fine substitute. They taste very similar.
Dale Eaton
Jan 07
love nopales this recipe has me making it twice a week thank you
Pati
Jan 08
Awesome!
Maria f corona
Nov 18
Muy ricooos ! Muchas gracias
Maria f corona
Nov 18
Muy ricos ,muchas gracias
sal
Nov 04
deliciosos!!!!!!
Pati
Nov 06
🙂
Alison
Oct 23
I can’t find fresh cactus paddles in Australia – would this recipe suit canned/ tinned nopalitos?
Pati
Oct 25
Yes…just rinse and drain well, and take into consideration that they will be ready much faster than if they were fresh.
Anonymous
Oct 15
I thing you need to be more specific on what “cleaning” the cactus paddle means.
Pati
Oct 18
Here’s some more information on how to clean the paddles: https://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/cleaning_cactus_paddles_or_nopales/