Post by patricimo54 on May 2, 2009 8:57:30 GMT -5
A common wild food among Hispanics as well as other Texicans is new growth tender prickly pear cactus. When the new pads get between 3" to 5"it seems to be about the best size to harvest. You can harvest larger pads, but it may become a little more difficult to remove the small thorns.
I have been told that consumption of Nopalitos is good for blood pressure and blood sugar issues. Although I haven't read medical reports to confirm this, I can give you a first hand report on how they taste. They are excellent when properly prepared. After the initial prep work is done you can use them as you would green beans. A little bacon,bacon grease, or lard in a pot add the sliced or diced cactus and here you go. You can add onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, squash, okra and on it goes. Just use a little imagination. My favorite way to cook them is to add them to a hot oiled skillet, with a few fresh jalapeno slices then scramble an egg or two with them. Once cooked place them on a 'bed' of skillet fried beans on a home made tortilla.Mucho good.
Prep as follows;
After harvesting remove small thorns with a spoon. Then remove the outer rim, then rinse. Slice and some folks, self included, dice,then place into salted boiling water. Boil time will depend on quantity in pot, it will only a few minutes regardless. To determine if it is done remove a piece and rinse then taste. Once desired texture is achieved place in colander to rinse the slim of that is created from boiling. You are now good to go. If purchasing jarred cactus you will need to rinse it as well prior to cooking.
I have been told that consumption of Nopalitos is good for blood pressure and blood sugar issues. Although I haven't read medical reports to confirm this, I can give you a first hand report on how they taste. They are excellent when properly prepared. After the initial prep work is done you can use them as you would green beans. A little bacon,bacon grease, or lard in a pot add the sliced or diced cactus and here you go. You can add onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, squash, okra and on it goes. Just use a little imagination. My favorite way to cook them is to add them to a hot oiled skillet, with a few fresh jalapeno slices then scramble an egg or two with them. Once cooked place them on a 'bed' of skillet fried beans on a home made tortilla.Mucho good.
Prep as follows;
After harvesting remove small thorns with a spoon. Then remove the outer rim, then rinse. Slice and some folks, self included, dice,then place into salted boiling water. Boil time will depend on quantity in pot, it will only a few minutes regardless. To determine if it is done remove a piece and rinse then taste. Once desired texture is achieved place in colander to rinse the slim of that is created from boiling. You are now good to go. If purchasing jarred cactus you will need to rinse it as well prior to cooking.
