Cleaning and cooking nopales can seem challenging if you are not familiar with the ingredient. Truth is, cleaning them, can be a bit daunting at first. That’s why I CANNOT wait for cleaned and diced fresh nopales to be readily available in grocery stores here in the US, just like they are in Mexico. But while that happens, let me give you some tricks.
First, to choose them, you want paddles that are bright green and although soft, not limp. The smaller the paddle the more tender it will be, but large ones are delicious too.
To clean them, if it’s your first time, you may want to use plastic gloves. Rinse under cold water being careful with the thorns. Nopales are persnickety, their thorns are almost invisible, but a good clue is that wherever there is a bump there may be a thorn. Then, using a vegetable peeler or small sharp knife, pretty much as if they were asparagus, peel away the bumps and thorns, you may want to lean the nopales against a chopping board, and then rinse again. No need to peel off all of the outer dark green skin, in fact, try to keep as much as you can.
Lay the paddle flat on a chopping board and trim about ¼ inch off the edges and about ½ inch of the thick base. Then slice in any shape or size, or keep it whole if it will be grilled or asada or used as a mounting base. I usually cut them into little squares and rectangles as I mostly use them for salads and soups.
As for how to cook them, there are many ways. A main concern for newcomers is how to get rid of that gelatinous liquid they exude as they cook. Variations go from cooking them in salted water to adding elements that supposedly help, like tomatillo husks, scallion tops, baking soda and even a copper coin. Whichever way you boil them, once cooked you have to drain and rinse them many times.
My favorite way to cook them, aside from grilling them, is to sear them in a skillet with a bit of oil for a few minutes and then let them cook covered until all of that liquid comes out, then uncover until all that liquid cooks off. Pretty much like cooking mushrooms. Not only does it work, but it also adds a nice seared flavor with merely any oil and you don’t have to drain and rinse many times. See below for precise directions, and give it a go!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons safflower or corn oil
- 3 pounds nopales rinsed, cleaned and diced
- Kosher or sea salt to taste
To Prepare
- Rinse the fresh cactus paddles under cold water, being careful not to prick your fingers with the small thorns on its surface. Using a vegetable peeler or small sharp knife, peel away the darker bumps where thorns grow, as well as the thorns, trying not to peel off all the outer dark green skin.
- Lay the paddles flat on a chopping board, then trim around approximately 1/4 inch of the edges and 1/2 inch of the thick base. Once cleaned, rinse and dice into 1/2 to 1 inch-sized squares, to your liking.
- Heat the oil in a thick, large-sized skillet (one that has a lid, since we will need it later on) over medium-high heat. Add the diced cactus, stir in the salt and stir for a minute or two. Place the lid on the skillet.
- Reduce the heat to medium and let the cactus cook and sweat for about 20 minutes, until it has exuded a gelatinous liquid that will begin to dry out. Take the lid off the skillet, stir and make sure most of that gelatinous substance has dried up. If it hasn’t, let the cactus cook for a few more minutes until it does. Let the cactus cool and they are ready to go in a thousand directions including inside of a tortilla.
Comments
204comments inCactus Paddles or Nopales: Cleaning and Cooking
Anonymous
Apr 18
Thanks. But do I eat it by itself…?
Pati Jinich
Apr 24
You could but better if you make some salad or a tostada or make them in salsa! Check out these recipes for some inspo: https://patijinich.com/video/pump-up-el-sabor-crispy-cheese-tacos/ https://patijinich.com/warm-nopalitos-with-sauteed-corn-and-guajillo/ https://patijinich.com/cactus-paddle-tostada/
Daniel Cham
Apr 13
I just cleaned the nopales and sliced them. I then boiled them in a stock made of onions ,celery and garlic for 15 minutes. The stock is saved to use for soup ,later on.
Pati Jinich
Apr 15
Great job!
Mulugeta
Dec 18
Dear Pati,
I tried the cactus paddles for the first time , I never had cactus paddle food before … I like it how ever, I feel a jelly taste like ochra which I dot like . So how can I get rid of that taste ?
I like your cooking and to learn more !
Thanks !
Pati Jinich
Dec 20
Clean your nopales perfectly, wash and rinse and then boil them until they are cooked and tender 😉
Lin
Oct 21
If you’re using fresh cactus pads and get the tiny spines in your fingers, you can press duct tape on your skin and then pull it off and it will pull out the spines!
Thanks for this recipe. Can’t wait to try it.
Pati Jinich
Nov 02
Wow, such a great tip Lin, thanks for sharing!
Kathleen Long
Jun 10
The only Nopales I could ever find in a store was the pickled kind, but I cannot do vinegar. Today I found them pre-chopped in a bag in ALDI! I decided I really needed to find out how to cook them.
Your recipe is so simple, I knew it would work for me. I am preparing some right now ahead of a feast tomorrow (all ingredients from – guess where – ALDI!
Edit: So YUMMMMY!!!!
Pati Jinich
Nov 25
So glad you found them Kathleen, nopales are yummy and here in the website I have some recipes for you 😉
Kerry Lara
Mar 11
My mother n law always had nopales, would watch her cooking them when I first married her son, now I cook and grow them.
Pati Jinich
Mar 13
Yay, I love Nopales!
Andrea Bisbee-Akin
May 20
My husband and I moved to Tombstone AZ a few.months ago and have access to prickly pear cactus. How do I harvest a few pads without hurting the beautiful cactus? Can’t wait to grill some nopales, mix with other veggies and put over polenta! Love your show!
Pati Jinich
May 25
Here a bit more information about Cactus Andrea, I hope it is useful! http://patijinich.com/cactus_paddles/
Liza Mahn
May 03
Thank you for sharing the how to clean and cook the nopales information. I used to watch my grandma clean and cook the cactus that came from her yard. After cleaning, cubing, and cooking them in oil, she then added well beaten eggs. I’ve never made them but hope to try sometime. Thank you, Pati!
Pati Jinich
May 17
So happy you found this information useful Liza!
Benjamin David Medina
Sep 16
People have asked me, why nopales? “Si semper vivo” I respond .
Pati Jinich
Oct 03
Aw! I love Nopales as well Benjamin, un abrazo!
Leticia Pescador
Sep 05
I’ve learned that if you cook the nopales in the open flame they taste more delicious, and most of all the technique gets rid of the slime.
Pati Jinich
Sep 27
Great tip Leticia, thanks for sharing!
Old Texan
Jul 12
Here in Texas there are thornless nopales. Developed in the 1930s as cattle feed. They are planted as decorative plants and people don’t know they are edible.
There may be a few small stickers, but just pass them over a flame for a few seconds and they are ready to trim,wash and use.
There are two kinds, one for the nopales and one for the tunas, or pears. The nopales kind makes pretty yellow flowers, but the tunas usually shrivel up and drop off.
There is not much gelalataneous juice, no worse than boiled okra. Sometimes I just boil the nopales and butter them a bit.
Pati Jinich
Jul 25
Oh wow, thanks for sharing about these Nopales!
Gail L
Jul 10
Just wanna say thanks for the recipe it is easy and I am playing the cactus
Pati Jinich
Jul 21
Awesome Gail, thanks for letting me know, have fun!
Rachael Fleet, Reno, NV
Jun 14
Seeing fresh diced nopales in a local grocery, I brought them home hoping to find a recipe on Patti’s website as I
knew it would be the best I could find. I am about to go for it! Looking forward to getting past the mucous-y liquid.
Wish I had the guajillo Chile’s on hand, but here goes w just no liquid, fresh corn & MAYBE fresh mushrooms, + carmelized onion….over Sourdough toast, a sort of Mexican Mufelleta..
Pati Jinich
Jun 15
That is a great idea Rachael, I hope you enjoy this and many other ways to cook with nopales 🙂
Guille
May 09
Good!!
I love nopales!
Pati Jinich
May 10
So do I Guille, enjoy!
Holalaaa Treasure
Mar 09
Exceptional people create Exceptional experience
Pati Jinich
Mar 20
Gracias!
angie
Dec 23
you cooked a recipe of potato cheese soup Sonora style, where can I find your recipe? thank you
Pati Jinich
Dec 24
Here you go Angie, enjoy! http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/sonora-cheese-soup/
Monica James
Dec 06
I fell in love with nopales at a restaurant near my church named Los Gallitas. Since I don’t eat meat and I can only eat beans sparingly, I started ordering my gorditas with nopales. Then I wanted to try cactus in (or with) everything from tacos, to eggs, to enchiladas, etc. So I decided to learn how to cook them. You made it easy and tasty. I like anything grilled so I did the whole paddles then chopped them. I use spices from all over the world. The possibilities are endless!
Thank you Pati❣
Pati Jinich
Dec 09
Si Monica, nopales are incredibly versatile and delicious, enjoy!
Mary
Sep 30
We have like this in our area (cactus paddles).. and I never knew this could be eaten! I will try this soon.
Pati Jinich
Oct 04
You are going to love them Mary, believe me 😉
Lonnie Snodgrass
Jul 04
OK, We are trying nopales by ourselves for the first time. We gave a friend that is a great cook that prepared it for us. But, we found the prickly pear growing on our land and harvested some this morning and are cooking it tonight July 4th. We have a hobby farm and are learning to grow lot of what we eat. Love your show.
Pati Jinich
Jul 05
Love to hear this Lonnie! Once you get the hang with Nopales, you are going to want to have them everyday 😉 So, how did you cook them for last night?
Rose Geck
Jul 02
Thank you for this step by step how to!! I’m giving it a go.
Pati Jinich
Jul 04
Yay! Thanks so much Rose, enjoy!
Judy Wahlers
Jun 25
Hi Pati,
So glad Phoenix area has been showing your programs. I LOVE the episodes in Mexico so we can see how
fabulous the food is there. Sprouts happened to have nopales the other day, so I got a small one to try.
Thank you for all the helpful information you had about prepping them and using them. I find your website
the easiest to use and easiest to print recipes from of the several I chose from.
You bring such joy watching you on Saturdays, that it makes me happy and excited to try the wonderful
dishes you present. It’s precious to see your sons enjoying the fabulous food you fix.
Keep showing us the wonderful creativity in the various areas of Mexico. It helps dispel the myths.
Some one gave me a heart shaped pad a few months ago and it now has two more. Can’t wait to use my own
nopales. Many Blessing, Judy
Pati Jinich
Jun 27
Judy! I am so glad to read you are enjoying nopales, it is truly a delicious and healthy super food. There are many recipes for them here on the website, hopefully you will try some when your own nopales are ready, enjoy!
Alisa
Jun 03
Hello Pati,
Im curious. I have nice fresh cleaned cactus paddles from my yard. If I want to freeze them, should I boil them first?
Thank YOU!!!
Pati Jinich
Jun 08
Hi Alisa, I am so jealous you get nopales from your yard! I don’t know how good they handle freezing, but if you want to preserve them for a longer time, you can definitely pickle them and then use them for salads like this one http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/nopalitos-salad-with-pickled-chipotle/ or for some tostadas http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/cactus-paddle-tostada/ Have fun!
Elle
Aug 11
Boil for one minute then submerge in ice cold water then they are fit for freezing
Lynell BERRY
May 28
This is texas I can get lots of cactus everywhere I look
Pati Jinich
May 28
Lucky you Lynell 🙂
Kay
May 17
I can’t get any fresh cactus paddles, nor grow any tomatillos right now.
Can you recommend a good canned brand for some of these?
Thanks
Pati Jinich
May 20
Hi Kay, look for La Costena and you won’t regret it. They have Nopalitos Tender Cactus, which come in a jar and are really good. They also sell green tomatillos in cans. Enjoy!
Donnalu
May 07
While looking at a prickly pear on the property and desperate for a fresh vegetable during quarantine, I remembered watching you do a show with Nopales. I am going to attempt it and was hoping and so happy to see that you had a web page on how to prepare it! Thank you! Will go on to look for recipes. Thanks
Pati Jinich
May 11
Yay Donnalu, so glad you found that blog post on nopales, you are going to love them! Check here on the site the recipes for Nopalitos Salad, Cactus Paddle Tostada and more!
Marie C
Apr 28
I was given some prepared fresh nopales paddles that were boiled…I’ve used some that I cut into strips & I sautéd w/onions and cooked in with scrambled eggs & into tacos…I have a few left….how long will they keep in fridge and also can I freeze for later use?
Pati Jinich
May 13
Oooh Nopales and eggs is a great combination Marie, good job! Of course you can freeze the nopales, try to use them within a month 😉
Isabel
Oct 18
Why is the slime not desired ? Is it bad for you? My mom’s from Mexico City and the way she learned to cook it was to leave it slimy and use little or no water. I’ve made it that way too, but all online say drain the slime. To me it seems it will be all dry and less natural flavor.
Pati Jinich
Oct 19
Oh some people just don’t like the texture…but if you do, go for it, Isabel!
danny r ohaver
Oct 15
Thank you for the information on napilatos. Love your show. If you do a show on crab enchiladas I would like to know. Sometimes it’s hard to get the perfect taste with crab and try to keep it authentic.
Pati Jinich
Oct 16
Oh I have a recipe in my book, Mexican Today, and here’s a video, Danny: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/potluck-video-crab-enchiladas-with-buttermilk-sauce/
Lillian Garcia
Feb 04
I love Patti Mexican Table cooking show.
Lillian Garcia
Mesquite, TX
Pati
Feb 05
Oh thank you so much Lillian!
Gayle
Dec 03
I stopped at the little tienda in my neighborhood. They had cactus paddles, but all the skin was peeled off. Should I buy them? Had to come home a search info about the cactus. Seems like they peeled them too much.
Pati
Dec 17
It sounds like they cleaned them for you, that is good!
nadine m lara
Nov 16
Hello Chef! have you ever blanched them? Chill and toss with vinegar and herbs?
Pati
Nov 24
I have! I think you’ll like Nopalitos Salad, Nadine: my http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/nopalitos-salad-with-pickled-chipotle/
Rosa F.
Oct 26
This is the best ever method of cooking Nopales! Thank you!
Pati
Oct 29
Yay! Thank you Rosa.
Tony
Oct 16
How do you take the sourness away? I was making cactus fries with cactus leafs or nopales,or paddle cactus. Wanted to take the sourness away or at least most .anybody know?
Pati
Oct 29
Did you use fresh nopales or canned or bottled ones, Tony? The ones that are preserved are lightly pickled. Fresh ones do have a bit of a tart taste, but I love it! To find the paddles that will be the least tart, make sure that the nopales are fresh and don’t have any dark spots on the surface.
Greg V.
Sep 05
I’m fortunate that here in California cleaned and diced fresh nopales are readily available and many grocery stores during the summer and can be found at Mexican markets like Fiesta and Vallarta almost year round.
I like to cook mine like you do but add garlic, chile powder and diced Spanish onion. Yum.
Pati
Sep 10
Sounds super yum, Greg!
Kelly
May 29
Can I dice and freeze them, and then use them whenever I want? I want to use it for smoothie, but I need a way to store it if I can’t use it all.
Pati
Jun 01
Absolutely! And then when you make your smoothie you can throw them in directly from the freezer.
Beverly F
May 06
I want to make a Yugo Verde power drink using nopales. I’ve never worked with them at all. Would I clean them, chop, and put into the juicer or blender – or do I have to cook or soak them first?
Pati
May 15
If you are using them for a smoothie, you can puree the cactus raw. I like to make a cactus smoothie with orange juice, parsley, and celery…enjoy your Yugo Verde, Beverly!
Lei
May 04
Thank you for sharing how to clean them. Did exactly as you said as far as rinsing many times…made a cactus salsa. Beautiful and delicious.
Pati
May 04
Awesome! Thanks for sharing Lei.
Rudy cardona.
Apr 17
Im devorced and i love nopales so its all ways good to know how to cook them . U can make cactus salads out of them also so ,good!
Pati
Apr 18
Nopales salads are so good…Have you tried my cactus tostadas, Rudy? I think you’ll like them: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/cactus-paddle-tostada/
cathy
Apr 13
This helped a lot. Mom’s 88 and she’s forgotten how she used to make nopales. She helped me cut some paddles off our plant and I cleaned and diced them. Using your cooking instructions I cooked my first batch of nopales. Mom loved them and I even ate some. Thank you.
Pati
Apr 16
Oh I’m so glad it was helpful, and I’m so happy your mom loved them.
Mary
Jan 11
Hi, I love making your food. I saw you make a grilled corn and cactus leaf salad, I remember most of it. Could you please share it. It looks so yummy. Thank you.
Pati
Jan 12
Oh here you go Mary! http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/warm-nopalitos-with-sauteed-corn-and-guajillo/
Herman
Jan 11
ooh thanks a lot, little did I know about how healthier usefulness this plant could be.
Pati
Jan 11
🙂
Liz
Jan 10
Can I add the cleaned and diced fresh nopales to hot water, wait for then to cool then drink the water?
Pati
Jan 15
Yes you can drink the water for sure…but I don’t know how much you are going to like it!
Esmeralda Garcia
Nov 09
“Cactus Paddles or Nopales” I tried it and I was surprised because I only knew how boiling it. Thank you for your help.
Pati
Nov 10
I’m so glad I could be of help, Esmeralda!
Melissa
Sep 20
I just cooked some and they turned out flavorfully crispy yummy! I will be adding them to eggs in the morning…yum!!!
Pati
Sep 20
That’s a great breakfast!
Melba
Sep 17
after cooking the nopales we add beaten eggs to the skillet, cook then serve in tortillas. yum!
Pati
Sep 19
Yum!
Merlene
Aug 16
Hi Pati,
Never knew it could be eaten I’m from the island of Jamaica where this thing grow wild,
We use it for a different reason we used it as conditioner for our hair and also soak in water over night drink it for cleansing our intestines I’m having it now as my drinking water for the day
Pati
Aug 16
Oh yes! Cactus is delicious…
JJM
Jul 02
You can get a self-lighting blowtorch at Home Depot for around $30 and use it to burn off the tiny, persnickety thorns. You can burn them off before you cut them off the cactus or you can cut them off the cactus and burn the tiny thorns off in the comfort of your kitchen. Flip a cookie sheet or metal baking pan over (so there is an air gap protecting your counter top from getting burned.) Put the nopal on the cookie sheet and hit both sides quickly but thoroughly “against the grain” so the green, fleshy nub doesn’t protect the thorn from the flame.
Now you can rinse and trim without worry!
Pati
Jul 06
I like using a peeler…
Jim in So. Cal
Jun 11
Thank you Pati, lightly frying Nopales delivers the best taste. I told my mother from Mexico she was amazed, boiling was her only method. Once finished you have so many options, but Nopales salad with queso fresco, is my first choice, my friends ask if I was angry when I make the salad, because I use so many Serrano’s love your show, it’s the only one I record.
Pati
Jun 12
Oh thank you so much for tuning in Jim!
Frank
Apr 25
Can you eat it raw?
Pati
Apr 27
You can eat it raw, but in Mexico we always puree it if it is raw. We make a smoothie with orange juice, parsley, celery, and cactus…it’s delicious!
Erica Mireles
Apr 13
Pati, Right now I am cooking nopales this way…I was so desperately looking for this post (like SOS), since I want to keep all of the properties without rinsing the slimy stuff (baba). Thank you!!
Pati
Apr 21
Fantastic!
Mary Gonzalez
Mar 14
I love nopales but am weary of the thorns getting on my fingers since they are hard to pick out. But I eat them anytime I can
Pati
Mar 16
Mary those thorns are very persnickety….but they are so delicious!
Carmel Sayre
Feb 10
my grandmother was from Mexico City or actually Dolores Hiladgo, she loved nopales and cooked them for us with eggs and with chili for my parents. to this day my mother loves them with eggs and my brother in law mixes them with tamales for breakfast….
Pati
Feb 13
Carmel, thank you so much for sharing your story. Your grandmother sounds like a wonderful cook!
lucille
Dec 22
Can you freeze cactus leaves
Pati
Dec 23
Better to cook and eat them!
Taylor
Oct 24
I did that once. They turn into rubber and ooze like crazy when thawed. I would highly recommend cleaning and cooking them fresh.
Craig M
Nov 29
Hola Pati ~ I will be in your neck of the woods for Christmas and would like to know where to find nopalitos to substitute them in a green bean casserole. Couldn’t find them last year at the Safeway etc.
Also you are the BEST host of any cooking show! You are so intelligent, knowledgeable, and such a sweetheart. When they made cooking, and then television, they waited for you to complete the perfect combination!!! Your show is such a delight!
Many Thanks — Keep up the good work
Best Wishes and Love ~ Craig
Pati
Dec 01
Wow, Craig! Thank you for such a lovely note!! You made my day. To find nopalitos in the DMV, try Panam Grocery on 14th St. NW. =)
Jay D. Bush
Nov 12
Thank you for teaching an old dog, a few new tricks! I will check in again for more tasty num-nums, lol.
Pati
Nov 17
Too funny!! Thank you for trying it!
Monica
Nov 02
I want to eat them for the health benefits, so I don’t want to get rid of the gelatinous substance. But I don’t like eating slimy stuff either. Does anyone know if this method still preserves the health benefits? Even though it’s no longer slimy, maybe the mucilegenous properties are still there…?
Pati
Nov 08
Absolutely Monica, it is still in there.
Kjell
Oct 16
I’m curious if anyone has tried drying them out in a dehydrator just to see how they turn out.
Pati
Oct 17
They turn out phenomenal.
Jean
Sep 15
The inside of the paddles will have a thick, gelatinous substance(kinda like okra), but the outside of the paddles should not be slimy.
helen
Sep 14
i got some cactus at the store- they were slimey- are they good
Anne
Aug 23
Hi Pati,
FYI My mole de olla was awesome! I was at Fiesta(grocery store in Texas) again today and found bags of beautiful pre cleaned and cut Nopales! They looked so good I had to buy them. I have had nopales before while eating out and they are IMO tastier than green beans! Do you think drying them out after cooking is the best/quickest way to go to eliminate the gel? Would adding some tomatillos be good flavor wise? I would love to have my husband become comfortable cooking different foods but its finding the best way to cook them. Even though he likes okra( talk about making gel!) he won’t try to cook the nopales. I must make them as yummy as possible to overcome his mental block to Nopales. Any additional hints!
Pati
Aug 31
Hola Anne, I find cooking them in a saute pan is the best way to eliminate the gel, like I do in this post: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2012/06/cleaning_cactus_paddles_or_nopales/
Here is one of my favorite recipes for them: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2012/11/cactus_paddle_tostadas/
Francesca
Aug 19
Hello, thank you for this post. I like nopales. I actually give it to my family because of the gelatin. I try to drink it all or jot over cook it. It heals the lining of the gut. Doctors recommend it.
Pati
Aug 21
Good to know! Thank you for the information!!
Cristi
Jul 27
Why is it sour? I made it like you said and my Mexican boyfriend, who had a crush on you, even said it tasted like there was vinegar added. Is this normal? I’m trying to learn to cook like his mamsita. Please help!
Pati
Jul 28
Hi Cristi, Did you use fresh nopales or canned or bottled ones? The ones that are preserved are lightly pickled. Fresh ones do have a bit of a tart taste, but I love it! You have to make sure that the nopales are fresh and don’t have any dark spots on the surface.
Consuelo
Jun 06
Pati I loved you on PBS. I am from Montana and my husband is from Mexico. We decided to retire to northern Chiuahuah and I am loving it here. I am Mexican too but I was limited at the stores. Now, I am in heaven and learning all sort of things. I just learned about the nopal and was showen many of the methods to get rid of the gelatin stuff. Needless to say I do not cook it often but I do drink it. In my blender I mix 1/2 cup of store bought,diced nopal with an apple. I add enough liquid, ie water, or juice of my choice, blend
to desired thickness. It is delicious . We drink this every morning before breakfast
Pati
Jun 08
Hola Consuelo, Thank you for your note! My mother loves nopales in smoothies, too! Sounds delicious.
Missy
Apr 12
Hola Pati,
Soy una gringa, but I saw the cactus leaf at my local store and really wanted to find out what to with it. especially ’cause it was only 25 cents. It was worth trying. I made it this morning via your easy recipe and we had it in a soft taco (corn) with cheese and Del Taco sauce, our favorite. It was delicious. Thank you, or, gracias!
Pati
Apr 12
So great to hear you gave it a try!
Pat Buxton
Feb 28
What are other ways to eat the cactus? My husband ate it several years in Mexico he sad it was on the tables as salsa. I found it in a Mexican store bought it found your Webb sight and fixed it, the girl at the store told me to but it on eggs.
Pati
Mar 03
Hola Pat, Maybe you’ll want to try these cactus paddle tostadas? http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2012/11/cactus_paddle_tostadas/
Jean
Feb 22
I cook them like okra. It also has a gelatinous ‘slime’ that when you
add flour to absorb it, is not a problem. I dice them, salt them, add enough flour to coat them,then a little corn meal to add some crunch. Fry them in a skillet just like you would okra.
Pati
Feb 23
Thanks for sharing, Jean! Sounds tasty!!
Crystal
Jan 25
How do u know when they are done cooking i am boiling them.
Pati
Feb 02
Hi Crystal, Simmer them for about 10 minutes!
fred
Dec 11
From our garden we obtain these right off our beachfront in the Philippines!
Pati
Dec 11
nice!
Maryanne
Oct 31
hello…am a student in kenya doing a study on the nopal pads….in our country they grow in the dry areas and they are actually taken as unpleasant.now i cant wait to go pick them and make a meal plus a lovely successful project
Pati
Nov 04
I hope you enjoy them, Maryanne! Good luck with the project. Very interesting!!
Therese Fish
Aug 24
Dear Pati,
When my husband saw your email he insisted that I tell you we watch your show always and he loves your accent. We live in Central Texas so we can use all your recipes and tips. Love you and your family trips.
Therese Fish
Aug 23
I use your method except I fry bacon,add the nopales and continue as you describe. Yummmm
Pati
Aug 24
That sounds delicious!
Caridad Colon
Jul 26
Please advise where I can buy nopal pads. I live in Miami florida
Thanks
Caridad co,on
Pati
Jul 26
Please ask in your nearest Latino or international store, which sells fresh produce…
Irene
Jul 10
Well, our neighbors’ cactus grew over the fence and was competing for space with our humongous tomatoes. The cactus reached out and stung my husband who doesn’t have pleasant feelings about cactus in the first place!! Anyway, he chopped off the offending ‘paddles’, with their fruits (which are still green and prickly) and now we have a huge garbage bag full off nopales. My question is: you describe them as ‘bright green’ and ours don’t seem as bright as the ones in your picture. Can we still use them? (my husband has diabetes – maybe, just maybe I could convince him to try some!!)
Pati
Jul 11
Hi Irene, The kind we usually eat is called a “prickly pear” cactus. Maybe ask your neighbor what kind his is before eating?
Sandra Rowe
Apr 26
Hello. I live in Andalucia, Southern Spain and this plants grows wild everywhere. Never knew you could cook the big what I call ‘leaves’ but I do know that the fruit if despiked, washed and then put in the fridge makes a wonderful thirst quenching ‘drink’. I know that the green leaves can be picked up from the roadside, and left in the sun to dry out when the flesh can be taken out and you are left with beautiful skelton lacy object to be used in your crafts.
Pati
Apr 26
Nice!
Nancy
Apr 14
Thank you for your recipes. Recently I decided to change my diet and serve nopales at least twice a week. I love to cook and cooked nopales per your recipe and added shrimp (season per your taste) with juice of two small limes. Let it cool. I filled wonton skins, fried them and served with salsa. Que Rico!!
Pati
Apr 16
Thank you, Nancy! Sounds sooo delicious!!
David
Apr 08
Hi,
I renounced meat for Lent so I have been trying tons of new (to me) vegetables lately. Never tried nopales before but these guys did remind me a lot of okra, in more than just the goo, but also the slight sourness to them.
So I searched for this a little late: after I just cooked up a bunch of pre-chopped nopales from HEB (Texas Grocer).
This is what I did:
Rinsed really well in a colander.
Seared over medium high (just below smoke point) with EVOO.
Reduced heat to medium low and added chopped red bell peppers.
Covered, turned off heat and let sit for half and hour or so.
Added raw green onions
Added lime
Added salt
Added either chili powder or ground red or cheyenne pepper (not too sure which)
Turned out pretty good!
I think that the digestion part is true because I’m typing this from the toilet.
Pati
Apr 09
Ok!
The Gilded Sprout
Mar 11
Great information and you make it look so easy. I am in Mexico and living eating the cactus and so found your post fantastic!
Pati
Mar 11
Thank you!!
Pati
Mar 11
Great!
Rusty Park
Mar 02
Hi Jan,
I freeze Nopales after parboiling for one minute, cooling and cutting into strips (or squares). I pat dry them to reduce moisture in the freezer bag or vacuum pak.
You might find it fun to experiment to see how many different ways you can use Nopales. It can be used raw in many different salads. Cooked and cooled it can be used as substitute in any almost any kind of salad. It can easily be an added or substitute ingredient in cooked main course dishes.
Rusty
I have not tried, but expect it could even be made into a desert item with a little added honey or brown sugar.
Always look for the tender pads from the younger plants. It grows wild in many parts of the US,and is cultivated in AZ and probably more places in the US.
Nica Lee
Mar 02
I have always loved nopales, but never cooked it at home. I used your recipe for my first time cooking it. This was the best I’ve ever had!!! Over 30 years of eating it, and now I won’t want it any other way! Thank you so much!!! So easy!
Pati
Mar 02
So glad you liked it, now it can be your home staple!
Jan
Mar 01
Hey Pati, I go over to Mexico at least once a week while in South Texas for the winter months. I always see them selling cactus cut up in squares like the pic I saw in this article. Was always wondering how to prepare them. Someone said that cooking them as you have described, then adding garlic, raw tomatoes and raw onions makes a great salsa type meal. Does this sound like something I should try? Or do you have a better suggestion along these lines? Also, if I find I really like them, is there a way to preserve them, such as freezing so I can have them during the summer months when I’m back in Michigan? Thanks for any advice you can give! 🙂
Pati
Mar 01
Hi Jan,
You are lucky you find them already cleaned and chopped! Yes, your friend is right. This is one of my favorite ways to cook them: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2012/11/cactus_paddle_tostadas/
fernando v
Sep 11
I live in Chicago and we grow them here.
Stanley
Feb 27
Es:
The Jon’s Market on Magnolia and Laurel Canyon in North Hollywood usually sells fresh cactus leaves.
SSL
Es
Feb 17
Hi Pati,
I live in Sherman Oaks, Ca. How do I get my markets (whole foods) to carry this pad.
Perhaps you know where I can get it fresh nearby already boiled and peeled.
I do not want to purchase them in a jar or can.
Thank You,
Es
Pati
Feb 17
Es,
Best idea is to try Latin stores near you, or you can talk to the produce manager of the stores you frequent and put in a special request. The more requests they get, the more likely they will carry them!
Kristina
Dec 08
Es, I also live in Southern California. I just saw nopales at the Alhambra Farmers Market yesterday (Sunday). I can’t guarantee that they’ll be there every week, but I’ve seen them there a few times!
Rudy
Dec 10
Hi All,,,,,
Just wanted to drop in & say that mi jefa (mom),,,, tha best cook ever of course,,, uses banana peels when she boils or cooks them to remove la vava (slime).
Rusty Park
Nov 21
I have a friend who swears Nopales has lowered his blood pressure to the point he off medication. I have no idea if it really has helped him or not. I recently started putting it into my daily green drink. I have also tried it in salad. (Good). My favorite was ground with spinach, kale, Swiss chard, Jalapeno pepper and chicken, rolled into meat balls with one egg to help hold it together, and served with my wheat spaghetti.
Health benefits of Nopales as found on the web.
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Nopales are one of very low calorie vegetable. 100 g of fresh leaves provides just 16 calories. Nonetheless, its modified leaves (paddles) have many vital phytochemicals, anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can immensely benefit health.
◾
The succulent paddles are rich sources of non-carbohydrate polysaccharides like pectin, mucilage and hemicellulose, which help reduce LDL-cholesterol, diabetes, and weight reduction. This rich fiber and mucilaginous content aid in smooth pass through of digested food particles and relieve constipation condition.
◾
In addition, the juice extracted from these pads has been suggested to have immune-booster, and anti-inflammatory properties.
◾
Cactus pads feature moderate amounts of vitamin A with 100 g fresh pads provide about 457 IU of vitamin A, and 250 µg of ß-carotene. ß-carotene convert into vitamin-A inside the body. Studies found that vitamin A and flavonoid compounds in vegetables help to protect from skin, lung and oral cavity cancers.
◾
In addition, nopal pads contain small levels of B-complex group of vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), and pantothenic acid those are essential for optimum cellular enzymatic and metabolic functions.
◾
Fresh pads contain average levels of vitamin C. 100 g provides 9.3 mg or 15% of this vitamin. Vitamin C is a water-soluble, natural anti-oxidant, which helps the body protect from scurvy and offer resistance against infectious agents (boost immunity), and help scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.
◾
They contain small amounts of minerals, especially calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron.
Pati
Nov 21
Great info! Thanks, Rusty!!
tommy
Nov 03
Hi Pati-
I’ve never cooked with cactus before and want to try adding it to my black beans. I would cook them separately of course but should I wait and put them in at the end or can I add them sooner?
Pati
Nov 08
Hola Tommy, Add them at the end, since you are cooking separately. Sounds delicious!!
John
Oct 19
I have always wanted to try and cook this as well as my father in law. He and a group of misfit family member, Myself included have a cooking show that will be featured on The Rachael Ray show coming soon. I will be trying this recipe on Sunday to give him a going away present. Monday he is flying to Nueva York to be on her show and I would like to give him the something new to expand his inspiration.
Pati
Oct 22
Much success!
Teresa
Oct 17
Hi, two years ago I started a prickly pear plant because I wanted the pears.
This week I decided to try eating the “leaves” , partly because thwy were multiplying
Quickly. Before I read youre website I had boiled them for a few minutes. So I took them
Out, removed the prickes, then sautéed them in oil with a few chopped onions. They were
Really tasty, except for the more mature leaves which had tough strings in them. I would
like to know what their nutritional value is. I’m sure there is some- all edibles have something
good for you in them. Thank you.
Pati
Oct 23
Hi Teresa, Thank you so much for your message! Prickly pear cactus paddles are very nutritious. I always say I think they are going to be the new “super food” trend because they are loaded with Iron, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Here’s some more info: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2012/06/cactus_paddles/
Mark
Oct 04
Hi Pati, can you eat it raw with salads or smoothies?
Pati
Oct 09
Hi Mark,
I have never eaten nopales raw… However, they are pureed raw into smoothies or licuados.
JD
Aug 30
I grow my own cactus but they are thorn-less, surprised you haven’t recommended these. If your followers want thorn-less varieties to grow just look for them at just about any ornamental garden, take a pad throw it on any well drained soil and it will grow. All cactus here in Texas have thorns except the ones in our flowerbeds, but be careful they may hybridize. FYI the real treat are the fleshy, 1/2 inch, bright green tubercles that replace the thorns, great raw. Also we make really good purple prickly pear jelly.
Pati
Aug 30
Thanks for the info JD!
Lisbeth
Jul 20
Hola Pati
I’m very happy that I have found your shows thru PBS, now I follow you on you wesite,
I live in Miami and I want to plant an eadible cactus plant in my backyard since
I can not find fresh Nopales in the groceries stores im here,
how do I look for one? do you know where they sell them?
Pati
Jul 21
Hola Lisbeth!
Depending on where you live, who may sell or have them… You can start by asking any local plant/flower store?
Alison
Jun 19
Hi Pati,
Just moved to a neighborhood where the local grocery has pre-cleaned nopales. I am so excited to try them as I love trying new foods, especially vegetables. I never met a vegetable I didn’t like! Thank you for your directions. I’m confident now to experiment with them.
Pati
Jun 19
I think you are going to love them, Alison!!
Matt
Jun 04
WOW, hallelujah and many thanks. Time to test my first cactus 🙂
Matt
Jun 03
Googling around I found this page. Maybe the place to find a answer to my question? Living in Cyprus, a small island south of Turkey and Greece, we have plenty of wild cactuses here that looks like cactuses eaten in Mexico.
But I can’t find out if this paddles are eatable or not. The cactuses here looks the same, but they also give cactus fruits that are popular here. A green, yellow and later red fruit.
How can I find out if the paddles is the same or eatable?
Here is a image of the cactus http://www.photos.com/royalty-free-images/wild-cactus-with-fruit-growing-in-cyprus/156344038
Pati
Jun 03
Yes they are!!! You have found your Nopal treasure 🙂
kevin
Nov 09
and the fruit makes a wonderful jelly
Avon
May 08
I live on Cyprus too! I hope you have tried eating the cactus already. I have grown and eaten the cactus on Cyprus and it tastes just like at home!
Bruce
May 22
Hello Pati,
I’ve been growing them in my back yard here in Northern California, for myself. This time of year is perfict for the picking. I cut them up in the shape of green beans, sear them with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. With my venison chops, brown rice, and a Italian table wine, its a meal “fit for a king.” BB
Pati
May 22
Hi Bruce, You are making my mouth water! Thank you for sharing!!
Bruce
Feb 18
Pati, I just hold the paddles over my gas stove until the thorns are burned, then remove the nubs. Very easy and NO stickers! I’ve been eating them for years, and only once got a sticker in my mouth when I was just started to use them. BB
Lori g
Apr 25
Was looking for the best way to cook the cactus paddles and found your method the best! Thank you! I was shopping at a local produce stand and ran into a Latino man who told me this is the best food to lower blood sugar.. This is my quest! Here we go!
Pati
Apr 29
Thank you, Lori! Cactus paddles are SUPER healthy!!
Lana Henman
Feb 06
I saw the show with cactus paddle tostadas but didn’t write down the recipe. Where can I find it?
Pati
Feb 07
Hi Lana, You can find it right here: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/2012/11/cactus_paddle_tostadas/
Erik
Jan 29
Hola Pati,
My girlfriend and I decided to make these after catching your show, which we love, on Create/PBS. I got the hang of de-prickling the nopales by the second paddle. The prep work was totally worth it… the nopales turned out delicious using your method.
Thanks for the cactus council!
Pati
Jan 29
Erik, I’m glad you went for it with the cactus paddles!! Thank you so much for watching the show.
Jordan
Jan 24
Hi Pati! My husband and I are new fans of your show on Create/PBS here in Alaska. Thanks so much for this article! I recently bought a fresh cactus paddle at the supermarket to “play with” and had no idea what to do with it. Now I can’t wait to cook it up- it will be my first time tasting cactus!
Pati
Jan 24
Jordan, I’m so happy you found my post, as cactus paddles can be tricky for the uninitiated!! Please let me know what you think once you’ve tried it.
Carmen
Dec 11
Thanks Patty I have had a nopales plant in my Garden for the longest time never knew what to do with them now I know in Puerto Rico they’re very expensive to buy
Pati Jinich
Dec 11
Yay, enjoy them!
Gilda Lopez
Dec 23
Hola Pati, viewer from Los Angeles. Thank you for the episode on cooking nopales. I love nopales but the gelatinous liquid always an issue no matter how many gallons of water I use to rinse and I’m not a fan of the jarred ones sold at the grocery. I’m going to try this method as it sounds like it would work to dry off the liquid in the pan. Enjoying your show…. Feliz Navidad!
Pati Jinich
Dec 28
Hi Gilda, Thank you so much for watching the show!! I hope you will find this method helpful.
Carlos
Jun 14
Hi Pati, my mother simply boils the nopales. The secret is she adds a piece of bread. She says that the bread absorbs all the sticky stuff. Have you heard of this method.
We eat it in a salad with tomatoes, onions, and chiles serranos with plenty of lime juice on a tostada topped with avocado
Pati Jinich
Jun 15
Hola Carlos, No, I haven’t heard of that method but it sounds really interesting. I love eating them on tostadas too! I have a recipe for Cactus Paddle Tostadas in the next season 🙂
Rebecca
Apr 24
Great tip, Carlos! Have to remember the bread next time!!