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Nopalitos are a staple ingredient in Latin American cuisine, consumed with cabbage and onions on tortillas or used as a condiment.
Source: NMSU Cooperative Extension Service
Photos: Courtesy
Cactus Pads or Nopalitos
Whole, intact prickly pear cactus pads are called nopales in Spanish (Figure 8). Once the spines and tough skin are removed the pads are called nopalitos, and these can be eaten raw or cooked (Figure 9). Nopalitos are a staple ingredient in Latin American cuisine, consumed with cabbage and onions on tortillas or used as a condiment. Nopalcactus pads can be harvested during the spring months. Use tongs to collect new, young, tender pads 1 to 3 inches in length. Conveniently, many Hispanic grocery stores also provide whole nopales in the produce section. Follow the recipe below to prepare unique, healthy Latin American dishes.
Nopalito Cactus Condiment
(New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service, 2017)
Yield: about 2 cups
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cups chopped fresh nopalito strips
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red chile piquin or other hot chile spice (optional)
Equipment list
- Medium sauce pan with lid
- Large skillet with lid
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Tongs
Chop onions and nopalitos. Place chopped nopalitos with water in a sauce pan and boil for 20 minutes. In a skillet, sauté onion in oil until transparent. Add cooked nopalitos and sauté 1 minute (optional: add red chile piquin along with nopalitos). Cover skillet with lid. Simmer until nopalitos are tender and well heated. Consume as a sauce or condiment. Place leftover food in a sealable container and allow to cool before refrigerating. This can be safely stored for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Nutritional information: A 1-ounce serving provides 25 calories, 1 g fat, 10 mg sodium, and 1 g fiber.
Discover the versatility of prickly pear cactus with our Extension publication, “Cactus Concoctions: How to Prepare and Use Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit and Pads” and learn how to add these delicious and nutritious ingredients to your meals. From harvesting and juicing prickly pear fruit to creating treats like this delicious nopalitos recipe. 
https://buff.ly/4fDkOZ7
Descubre la versatilidad del cactus de pera espinosa con nuestra publicación de Extensión, “Cactus Concoctions: How to Prepare and Use Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit and Pads” y aprende cómo añadir estos ingredientes deliciosos y nutritivos a tus comidas. Desde la cosecha y extracción del jugo de la pera espinosa hasta la creación de delicias como esta receta de nopalitos. https://buff.ly/4fDkOZ7
