Nopales – Cactus

Nopales are the edible leaf of the Cactus. They also happen to be Mexicans but that is another story.

You can buy them in the grocery store in Puerto Vallarata but they do not seem to be all that common in La Peñita except in people’s yards. I guess enough people grow them or get them from a neighbor that they don’t sell all that well. The plant is common. A small patch will supply a families needs.

They are prolific. When a leaf drops off the plant it will set roots and you have another. See the little new guy in the bottom right corner.

Only the young leaves will do. If your fingernail will puncture the skin it is still young and tender enough to eat. Even the young ones have some very nasty but TINY spines that will lodge between your fingers and just about anywhere else unless handled very carefully. Much like the hairs on rose hip seeds. It is not the little green spikes but the brown area at its base that causes the problem.

These have to be removed with a very sharp knife. The people who do it professionally wear surgical or rubber gloves but it can be done without gloves if you are careful.

They can be grilled

in which case they make a nice side vegetable to a carne asada (mexican steak).

but most common is nopal salad which you will find at some of the better taco establishments.

The salad always looks greasy but it is not. The appearance results from the mucilaginous nature of the nopal. Some would say slimy but that puts a tasty dish in a bad light.

The taste and the texture of the nopal is not to everyone’s taste but you simply have to try it. The acidic taste of the leaf reminds one of a mild pickle or a salad with lemon juice on it.

Mr. E has been cheffing up some recipes.