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THE PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS
PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS!
Prickly Pear cactus is also known as nopales (no-PAH-les), nopalitos or cactus pads.
Prickly Pear cactus is characterized by its fleshy oval leaves (typically called pads or paddles) of the nopal (prickly pear) cactus,
also the pads are often referred to as bunny ears!
When eaten, Prickly Pear Cactus has a soft but crunchy texture that can become a little sticky when cooked.
What does Prickly Pear taste like?
Prickly Pear cactus tastes similar to a slightly tart green bean, asparagus, or green pepper.
Nutritional Value:
Cactus pads contain beta carotene, iron, some B vitamins, and are good sources of both vitamin C and calcium.
As part of the cactus plant, the prickly pear is a fruit that is 2 to 4 inches long and shaped like an avocado. Its skin is coarse and thick, not unlike an avocados and it ranges in color from yellow or orange to magenta or red. Tubercles with small prickly spines can be found on the prickly pear’s skin. This fruit’s flesh, which ranges in color also from yellow to dark red, is sweet and juicy with crunchy seeds throughout.
Their are many ways to eat prickly pear, they can be diced, chopped or even blended into a smoothie.
Preparation for eating:
The Prickly Pear cactus should be de-spined though you will need to trim the “eyes,” to remove any remaining prickers, and outside edges of the pads with a vegetable peeler.
Trim off any dry or fibrous areas and rinse thoroughly to remove any stray prickers and sticky fluid.
Prickly Pear cactus can be eaten cooked or raw.
To cook, steam over boiling water for just a few minutes (if cooked too long they will lose their crunchy texture).
Prickly Pear Cactus can also be cut and sautéed in butter or oil for a few minutes. The pads can also be served as a side dish or cooled and used in salads.
Make Prickly Pear Cactus Part of Your 5 A Day Plan.
Send E-Mail to: prickycactus@yahoo.com
Copyright © 2007 Sally Nickells. All Rights Reserved