When you think about a cactus, what pops into your mind? You probably think that this spiny plant is nothing more than a desert nuisance, but the reality couldn’t be farther from this if you live in Mexico.
While some varieties of cactus are definitely inedible, one of the most commonly-seen varieties in the Americas, known in English as the prickly pear cactus, is a staple food in Mexican cuisine, where it is known as “nopal.”
Nopal is beloved throughout Mexico, where it is used in a large number of recipes and prepared in different ways.
The fruit of the cactus is cleaned of its spines and then sold to consumers. It is normally sold fresh, but can also be bought dried.
Nopal pads can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from raw to cooked. It’s commonly found fresh in salads, where its crispy, light flavor is often paired with onions to make a salad that is beloved throughout the country.
Nopales are most commonly eaten cooked, where they can be used as an ingredient in tacos or as a side dish. Another popular way to eat nopal is with melted cheese inside a special Mexican bowl known as a cazuela.
This cactus can be used in a ton of ways, and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular in Mexico. Don’t be afraid to try it on your next trip to Mexico or to a Mexican restaurant!
