**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.
CACTUS SALAD
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)
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
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
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
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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