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Ensalada de Nopalitos (Cactus Salad)
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N G R E D I E N T S
3 cups cooked nopales (nopalitos)
3 tablespoons chopped white onion
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice or vinegar
T
O P P I N G
3 tomatoes, sliced
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
1/3 cup crumbled queso fresco or añejo or Monterey jack cheese
1/3 cup purple onion rings
3 canned chilies jalapeños en escabeche, cut into quarters lengthwise
1 avocado, peeled and sliced (optional)
romaine lettuce for the side of the serving platter
I
N S T R U C T I O N S
Mix the nopalitos with the
next four ingredients and set aside to season for 30 minutes. Stir well and adjust
seasoning.
Spread the nopalitos over the platter about
1 1/2 inches deep. Decorate with the tomatoes slices and top with cilantro, cheese, onion
rings, chile strips, and slices of avocado (if used).
Overlap the romaine leaves around the edges
of the platter and serve at room temperature.
Return to Nopalitos Article
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More Cactus Recipes
Cactus
Chili -
This is a
good vegetarian dish using nopales
(cactus) onions, garlic and chiles
Cactus Salad - A simple nopalitos (cactus
strips) salad with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and Mexican oregano.
Ensalada de Nopalitos - Uses fresh
nopalitos (cooked), fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, pickled jalapenos,
avocado and queso fresco.
Nopalitos and Pork Stew - Uses fresh
nopalitos (cactus) pork loin, chile powder, onion, garlic, tomatoes, bay
leaf and corn kernels.
Learn All About Nopales - Learn about this
traditional Mexican food, including history, how/where to buy, prepare,
store, cook, and photographs. Many recipe links.
Tips & Substitutions
Substitutions
Nopalitos - Nopalitos are
available in cans or jars as well as fresh. If you wish, you may substitute green
beans or chayote. What are Nopalitos?
The plant is the genus Opuntia from the Cactaceae
family, or what is commonly known as the Prickly Pear Cactus. Nopal means cactus in
Spanish and Nopales is term for "cactus stem". The term Nopalitos refers
to the pads once they are cut up and prepared for eating. There are two food crops
derived from the prickly pear cactus. One is the "nopalitos" which
are the cactus pads and the other crop is the prickly "pear" or fruit of the
cactus. Read More including cooking
tips, recipes, how to harvest, clean, nutritional information and more.
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