Best 3 Cactus Paddle Saladrelish Or Ensalada De Nopalitos Recipes

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**Discover the Delightful Flavors of Cactus Paddle Salad, Relish, and Ensalada de Nopales**

Journey into the realm of Mexican cuisine and be captivated by the unique flavors of cactus paddle salad, relish, and ensalada de nopales. These delectable dishes, rooted in Mexican culinary traditions, showcase the versatility of cactus paddles, also known as nopales. Prepared with fresh, tender cactus paddles, these recipes offer a delightful balance of textures and flavors, ranging from tangy and refreshing to savory and slightly spicy. Whether you seek a refreshing salad, a flavorful relish, or a traditional Mexican side dish, this article presents a collection of recipes that will tantalize your taste buds and introduce you to the culinary wonders of cactus paddles. From the zesty Cactus Paddle Salad with Jalapeño and Lime to the savory Nopales Relish with Roasted Poblano Peppers and the authentic Ensalada de Nopales with vibrant Mexican flavors, these recipes promise an unforgettable culinary experience.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CACTUS SALAD



Cactus Salad image

Learn to make a classic salad from Mexico's iconic nopal cactus and discover your new favorite veggie. You can use jarred or fresh cactus pieces.

Provided by Robin Grose

Categories     Appetizer     Salad     Side Dish     Salad

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 tomato, chopped
1 small white or purple onion, chopped
2 cups of chopped, cooked nopales (from a jar, or see below recipes for instructions for using fresh cactus)
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro (leaves and stems)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed Mexican lime juice
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Crumbled queso fresco cheese , for garnish
Thinly sliced onion, for garnish
Sliced avocado, for garnish

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Pour canned or jarred nopales into a strainer to drain. Rinse under running water until jar liquid is washed off. Leave nopales in long strips or chop into pieces about the same size as the tomato and onions.
  • In a large glass, ceramic, or stainless steel bowl, toss together tomato, onion, nopales, and cilantro.
  • Place olive oil, lime juice, oregano, and salt into a small jar with lid on. Shake vigorously until mixture comes together. Pour dressing over salad and toss again, gently but thoroughly.
  • Cover bowl and refrigerate salad for at least an hour and up to 24 hours for flavors to meld. To serve, garnish with cheese, onion, and avocado.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 371 kcal, Carbohydrate 23 g, Cholesterol 21 mg, Fiber 11 g, Protein 11 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 418 mg, Sugar 8 g, Fat 29 g, ServingSize 4 portions (4 servings), UnsaturatedFat 0 g

CACTUS PADDLE SALAD (NOPALES SALAD)



Cactus Paddle Salad (Nopales Salad) image

If you can't get fresh nopales, you can substitute a 12 - 15 ounce jar of the cactus pieces, drained. If you can't find Mexican queso fresco, you can substitue feta cheese--but the feta may be saltier than the queso so adjust your seasoning.

Provided by Chef Kate

Categories     Vegetable

Time 50m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/4 teaspoon salt
4 medium nopales, trimmed, scraped, cut into strips
1 large tomatoes, cored, peeled, diced
1 small onion, diced
6 fresh cilantro stems, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/8 teaspoon oregano
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 romaine lettuce leaves
3 tablespoons queso fresco, Mexican, crumbled
2 pickled jalapeno peppers, drained, sliced
8 radishes, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • Heat 6 inches of water and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt to a boil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • Add the cactus and boil, uncovered, until tender, about 20 minutes.
  • Drain the cactus and transfer it to a large bowl.
  • Add tomato, onion and cilantro; set aside.
  • Whisk together the oil, vinegar, oregano and salt; pour over the vegetables and toss.
  • Line a platter with lettuce leaves; top with salad; sprinkle with cheese; garnish with jalapenos and radish slices.

ENSALADA DE NOPALITOS (CACTUS SALAD) WITH VEGAN OPTION



Ensalada De Nopalitos (Cactus Salad) With Vegan Option image

This is a delicious recipe using nopales, which are the paddles of the prickly pear cactus. You can use fresh, cooked nopales if you wish, but we just used jarred cactus. We made this for a dinner party and it was a hit! Cooking time is time spent allowing the cactus to absorb the flavors of the other ingredients. There is no actual cooking involved, unless you decide to cook your own fresh cactus. To save time, chop the veggies while you're waiting for the nopales to marinate.

Provided by Annisette

Categories     Vegetable

Time 45m

Yield 6-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

32 ounces nopalitos (get the kind that are sliced)
6 tablespoons white onions, chopped
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
4 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 tomatoes, cut into wedges
2/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2/3 cup queso fresco (vegan cheese can be used for a vegan option) or 2/3 cup Anejo cheese, crumbled or shredded (vegan cheese can be used for a vegan option)
2/3 cup purple onion, sliced into thin rings
6 canned chilies, jalapenos en escabeche cut into chunks
2 avocados, sliced
1 large head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces

Steps:

  • Drain the nopalitos and place in a bowl. Cut them into smaller strips, if you prefer.
  • Add the white onion, cilantro, Mexican oregano, and lime juice to the nopalitos. Stir well. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.
  • While waiting, prepare the toppings.
  • When the nopales mixture has sat for 30 minutes, spread the mixture in a 1.5 or 2 inch deep platter.
  • Top with chopped tomatoes, cilantro, shredded cheese, onion, jalapeños, and avocado.
  • Place the lettuce along the edges of the platter.
  • Serve at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 180.2, Fat 10.5, SaturatedFat 1.5, Sodium 52.3, Carbohydrate 21.4, Fiber 11.7, Sugar 7, Protein 5.8

Tips:

  • To select the best cactus paddles, look for those that are firm and have a deep green color. Avoid paddles that are wilted or have brown spots.
  • When preparing the cactus paddles, it is important to remove the spines. To do this, use a sharp knife to carefully slice off the spines along the edges of the paddles.
  • Once the spines are removed, the cactus paddles can be cooked in a variety of ways. They can be boiled, grilled, roasted, or fried.
  • Cactus paddles are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are also low in calories and fat.
  • Cactus paddles can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, soups, stews, and tacos.

Conclusion:

Cactus paddles are a versatile and delicious ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. They are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and they are also low in calories and fat. If you are looking for a new and exciting way to add vegetables to your diet, cactus paddles are a great option.

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