If youve never cooked nopales before, youre in for a treat. This vegetable staple of Mexican cuisine is full of vitamins and can be used in various recipes. In this post, Ill show you the most common way to cook them and give you a few ideas for dishes that you can make with them. They are all super easy to make!
Place in a medium pot with salt, and fill with water until all the cactus paddles are covered. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium, cover with a lid, and cook for 10 more minutes. Drain the water from the nopales and give them another rinse under warm water to remove any excess slimy liquid.
Can you eat nopales raw?
The short answer is yes; you can eat raw nopales. Most of the most popular ways in Mexico is adding raw Nopales to your Green Smoothie. However, when eaten raw, many people find they have a slimy texture (baba) and are not as tasty as when cooked. If you want to try them raw, I recommend cutting them into thin slice pieces and adding them to a salad. Check our Raw Nopales Salad HERE.
As for how to cook them, there are many ways. A main concern for newcomers is how to get rid of that gelatinous liquid they exude as they cook. Variations go from cooking them in salted water to adding elements that supposedly help, like tomatillo husks, scallion tops, baking soda and even a copper coin. Whichever way you boil them, once cooked you have to drain and rinse them many times.
First, to choose them, you want paddles that are bright green and although soft, not limp. The smaller the paddle the more tender it will be, but large ones are delicious too.
Cleaning and cooking nopales can seem challenging if you are not familiar with the ingredient. Truth is, cleaning them, can be a bit daunting at first. That’s why I CANNOT wait for cleaned and diced fresh nopales to be readily available in grocery stores here in the US, just like they are in Mexico. But while that happens, let me give you some tricks.
My favorite way to cook them, aside from grilling them, is to sear them in a skillet with a bit of oil for a few minutes and then let them cook covered until all of that liquid comes out, then uncover until all that liquid cooks off. Pretty much like cooking mushrooms. Not only does it work, but it also adds a nice seared flavor with merely any oil and you don’t have to drain and rinse many times. See below for precise directions, and give it a go!
Lay the paddle flat on a chopping board and trim about ¼ inch off the edges and about ½ inch of the thick base. Then slice in any shape or size, or keep it whole if it will be grilled or asada or used as a mounting base. I usually cut them into little squares and rectangles as I mostly use them for salads and soups.
How to cook nopales on stove – Mexican Recipes Now
FAQ
How long does it take to boil cactus?
How do you know when nopales are done?
How long do you boil nopales?
Cover pot with lid and boil nopales 8 to 10 minutes or until paddles are tender and mucilage has seeped out. Carefully pour liquid and nopales through colander or strainer. Rinse boiled nopales well under running water to remove any remaining mucilage, then enjoy as desired. See Notes for serving suggestions.
What is the best way to heal a boil?
Here are some home remedies that you can try to help heal a boil: 1. Apply warm compresses. This can help to bring the boil to a head and promote drainage. Soak a clean washcloth in warm water and apply it to the boil for 10-15 minutes at a time, several times a day. 2. Use over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic ointment. This can help to fight the infection and prevent it from spreading. Apply a thin layer of ointment to the boil 2-3 times a day. Keep the area clean and dry. Wash the area with soap and water twice a day, and pat it dry. Cover the boil with a bandage. This will help to keep the area clean and prevent the spread of infection. 3. Avoid touching or squeezing the boil. This can force the infection deeper into the skin and make it worse.
How do you use boiled nopales?
Follow directions above for boiling nopales. Strain and rinse nopales well, then use boiled nopales as desired in salads, tacos, burritos, etc.
How long do you boil nopales in a crock pot?
Add smashed garlic cloves to water and place pot over high heat. Bring water to boil. Once liquid begins to boil rapidly, add prepared nopales to pot. Cover pot with lid and boil nopales 8 to 10 minutes or until paddles are tender and mucilage has seeped out. Carefully pour liquid and nopales through colander or strainer.