Sothwest Cactus Recipe and Recipe Request

[mattsonfamily]

Just thought I would share this recipe. I know there were a few threads on cactus recipes :)

Southwest Cactus Salad
2 cups Nopalitos, diced 1/2" pieces (prickly pear pads)
4 green onions
1/2 lbs. tomatoes peeled
1/4 C. lime juice
2T. minced cilantro
salt
1 bell pepper, chopped

Combine nopalitos, onions, lime juice and cilantro. Mix and season with salt. Server or cover and chill.

Makes 8 servings

I aslo picked up some beautiful Prickly Pear Tunas and am looking for ideas on uses. I know that they are great eaten peeled. Has anyone juiced them?, or have any other ideas?

Thanks,

Mindi

[Bethanie]

Yes, i've juiced them and love doing it. I get tired of getting stuck with those little needles though, so hard to avoid. I try to remember to use plastic gloves, when i forget i try to use a magnifying glass to see the needles and try to pull them out. Usually i just have to wait it out, it's so painful though. :(
I also slice them and put them in a salad, the sweetness is so good, even though you have the seeds, i've learned to eat around them so to speak. :D
Bethanie

[Bethanie]

Thanks for the recipe, i was wondering how to use catus, i hope i don't get stuck with the needles, hate that.
How do you get them out of the catus?
Bethanie

[mattsonfamily]

Hey Bethanie thanks for the information.

The easiest way to remove the needles is to singe them off with a lighter, or better yet - they are in the store here!!!! - needles removed.

We used to always keep a box and tongs in our trunk when we drive to stop and pick the tunas. Every year we would make prickly pear jelly. I will have to come up with a raw version. I read somewhere you can dehydrate the pulp to use in baking/cooking. I bet it would be good for raw cookies and such.

Thanks again!

Mindi

[Bethanie]

get started on a raw version :) :)
They had a sale on the tunas here 10 for $1.00 and believe you me i was hunting for the largest ones. I had so many needles in my hands i could hardly enjoy eating them but eat i did and eat and eat.
Tunas for breakfast, lunch and dinner we stuffed ourselves, we like the geenish yellow ones better than the red ones, they seem sweeter. :D
Thanks for you info also.
Bethanie