What's for Dinner
The Ogden (UT) Standard-Examiner says nopal.
Cactus leaves
(C)actus leaves, or “nopales,” are a versatile food, a good substitute for a bell pepper or a zucchini in all sorts of dishes, says produce manager Tim Pettingill at Macey’s in Ogden.Flat and oval-shaped, the leaves from the prickly pear cactus usually come with the spines removed. But Pettingill says it’s best to cut the eyes out to make sure no spines remain beneath the surface.
Dice the leaves and steam them over boiling water, not in it, until they are tender. The mild-flavored leaves can get a bit slimy in texture, sort of like okra, he says.
Sure, sort of like okra, but that’s only if they’re overcooked. Keep them just right, maybe lightly sauteed in olive oil and garlic, and then you can prevent the slimys.
