More than 10,000 farmers grow nopales in Mexico.
Nopales are the buds or buds found on nopales, which are peeled to remove the thorns. Some say they have a slimy flavor and texture similar to okra. Like okra, nopales seem to have an acquired flavor, although they are very popular in Mexico and in some foods in the southwestern United States.
Cactus pads can be found in many supermarkets, especially in areas with a large Hispanic population. They can be purchased fresh in the produce section, in bulk, or in plastic bags. Nopales may need to be boiled twice to soften. After the first boil, the water should be drained and the nopal should be boiled again in fresh water. Then the nopales should be rinsed, cooled, rinsed again and then dried in a colander.
Nopales can be added to the parsley.
Another option for those who want to cook with nopales is to buy them canned. Canned varieties are available cubed, shredded, seasoned, or unseasoned. Drained nopales can be added to many dishes as a side dish or sauce. They can also be scrambled with eggs and served with sauce. This dish is called eggs with nopales or “eggs with nopales”. Tacos de nopales, or “cactus tacos,” are also very popular in parts of Mexico.
Low glycemic index nopales can help diabetics lower their blood sugar levels.
Nopales are very nutritious and rich in dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. They also contain vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin K. In addition, they contain potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, and manganese. They also contain flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. Nopales have no saturated fat or cholesterol and very little sodium.
A medium that includes nopales can lower the glycemic index of a meal and has been used to lower blood glucose in diabetics. Pills and powders made from the plant have also become popular as its health benefits become more widely known. The American Heart Association, for example, is investigating the use of nopales to help control cholesterol levels.
More than 10,000 farmers grow nopales in Mexico. In all, they produce around $150 million worth of cactus buds each year. They are easy to find in the outdoor markets in Mexico.