Edible Cactus
Why You Should Add Edible Cactus To Your Diet
Edible cactus is considered a vegetable and is extremely popular in Mexico, North Africa, Australia, India, the Middle East and parts of Europe. In the past few years, the United States has also been catching on to all of its health benefits and has found a love for this wonderful plant. Something that was once so rare is now found at farmer's markets, specialty produce markets and Mexican grocery stores across the country.
Fleshy, oval leaves are usually how edible cactus is described. The leaves of the nopal, or prickly pear cactus are usually referred to as pads or paddles. These pads have a crunchy, yet pleasantly soft texture that generally becomes a little sticky when it is cooked, similar to okra. Most people describe edible cactus to taste like asparagus, green pepper or a green bean that is slightly on the tart side. Cactus pads are full of iron, beta carotene, calcium, vitamin C and vitamin B.
What Is A Prickly Pear?
So, what is the difference between the prickly pear and edible cactus leaves? For starters, the leaves are a vegetable where the prickly pear is a part of the cactus but it is technically a small fruit. It is shaped similar to an avocado and matures at around two to four inches long. The skin of the prickly pear is thick and coarse though, unlike the soft outer shell of an avocado, and it varies in color from red to magenta to orange to yellow. It is also common to find tubercles that contain tiny prickly spines on the pear's skin. The flesh of the prickly pear also ranges in color from dark red to yellow and it is juicy, sweet and full of crunchy seeds. Most people slice this fruit up the way that they would a pineapple and use it as a topping for cereal, yogurt or blended up in a smoothie.
Storage And Availability
Edible cactus is available through the whole year, usually with a peak season being mid-spring. The juiciest cactus is found between early spring well into the end of fall. When you are purchasing edible cactus you should choose firm, small, pale green cacti that has no wrinkling present. Never buy cacti that are dry or limp. Also, you need to be aware that the smaller the paddles are that you purchase, the more cleaning that they will actually require because they have more eyes and prickers. You can store edible cactus in the refrigerator for about one week as long as it is wrapped up extremely tight in plastic. It is also sold canned, either packed or pickled in water or as acitrones, which are candied nopales that are packed in a sugary syrup and sold in either jars or cans.
Preparation
Preparing edible cactus for the first time can be a bit intimidating. The cactus that you buy will more than likely have the spine already removed but you will still have to remove prickers, trim the eyes and use a vegetable peeler or a knife to remove the outer edges. You should also trim away and fibrous or dry areas and rinse the pads thoroughly to remove any left over sticky fluid or stray pickers.
You can actually eat edible cactus raw or if you choose, you can cook it. To cook the cactus you will simply steam it for a few minutes over boiling water. If you steam them too long they will become soggy instead of crunchy so take care to not overdo it. Then, all you have to do is slice it and enjoy. Edible cactus is also exceptionally good cut up and sautéed it for a few minutes in oil or butter.
Steamed cactus is often added to omelets, scramble eggs or tortillas and it can usually be substituted for any green vegetable in any recipe. You can serve the pads as a side dish and in salads, hot or col. It is also a great accent to couscous, burritos or added into salsa. It is delicious, available year round and extremely healthy so add edible cactus to your daily diet today.