[CH] Re: Nopalitos -
George Nelson (70431.3065@compuserve.com)
Wed, 25 Mar 1998 23:04:43 -0500
I have only had canned nopalitos. MacFrugals (like Big Lots) had them for
a dollar a 1 lb 12 ounce can (794 g to the english-units-impaired) last
spring. The taste is quite reminiscent of okra or green beans, especially
in the following salad from the Embasa can:
Tender Cactus Salad
1 1 lb 12 ounce can of Nopalitos (Embasa Tender Cactus)
1 small onion, chopped
2 tomatoes, peeled, diced and fried
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
3 Tbsp vinegar
2 tsp oregano
dash salt and pepper
1/2 cup crushed Feta cheese
1 cup chopped pork rind
Rinse and drain the cactus. Combine the cactus with the onion, tomato,
cilantro, oil, lemon juice, vinegar, oregano, salt, pepper and cheese.
Pour ingredients into a large salad bowl and sprinkle chopped pork rind
over it. Garnish with tomato and cilantro adn serve. Add hot peppers if
desired.
This salad makes an excellent taco filling, too.
I cannot vouch for the taco filling, but the salad accompanies a Mexican
style meal very well.
There are some opuntia growing in Ozark glades south of St. Louis, MO, but
they are small. There are awesome (though a bit moth-eaten) ones on the
road to Kula, Maui, Hawaii at about 1900 MSL. They would probably be a bit
tough and would not do in the salad; the can label says it contains "Tender
Cactus Nopalitos!"
George Nelson
70431.3065@compuserve.com