10 Jul Nopal – Prickly Pear Cactus Summer Salad

Nopal is the Spanish word used for “prickly pear” or “tender cactus”. Farmed nopales are often of the species opuntia ficus-indica or opuntia matudae, although the pads of almost all opuntia species are edible.
Nopal has flat, oval-shaped pads and bright colored fruit (prickly pear fruit). The edible pads (and fruit) have long been used as a staple food crop and are valued for their medicinal benefits.

The Aztecs used the sap (or mucilage) inside the plant to reduce fever, heal chapped lips, cure diarrhea and excess bile.¹
In Mexico, the cactus is known as “la planta de vida” (plant of life), because of its tremendous health benefits. It is high in manganese, fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C while being low in fat and calories. They are great for digestive health and are antiviral, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, demulcent and neuroprotective.

The pads are widely used in the Southwest (USA), Mexico and Central American cuisine. When cooked, they have a bland taste, similar to green string beans, with a mildly sour undertone.
When cooked, their slightly sour and slimy quality brings balance to dry vata, and their anti-inflammatory properties makes them ideal for fiery pitta.

The cactus paddles are widely available in Mexican markets in the US, either whole (with spines) or prepared (cleaned, spines removed, and chopped). I recommend buying them prepared. Removing the spines is time consuming and they must be handled with care to avoid getting pricked by the thorns.

Here’s an easy recipe for Summer Nopal Salad

5 cups water
1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
1 lb prepared nopale (spines removed, thinly sliced)
Juice of ½ a lemon
Salt for seasoning

In a 3.5 quart sauce pan, bring 5 cups of water to a boil. Add salt and nopale. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the nopal are soft with a slight crunch. Strain. Transfer to large bowl. Add lemon juice and toss. Season with more salt as desired.

This may be served warm, at room temperature or chilled as a side salad or vegetable.

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Resources:

¹ El Universal.com: https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/english/benefits-nopal-sap/