Buy nopale online

Nopale refers to the pads of the prickly pear cactus, commonly used as a vegetable in Mexican cuisine.

Nopale can be boiled, grilled, sautéed, or added to soups, salads, and eggs. Boiling with a bit of salt helps remove the slimy texture.

Store fresh nopale pads in a plastic bag in the refrigerator; they can last up to a week.

Boil the nopale with a bit of salt and rinse afterward or cook with tomatillo or a slice of onion to help reduce the slime.

Nopale is popular in salads, tacos, scrambled eggs (huevos con nopales), soups, and casseroles.

Yes, many stores offer pre-cleaned and pre-cut nopale, either fresh or canned.

Rinse before using to reduce the salty or tangy flavor from the brine, then use as you would cooked fresh nopale.

You can buy it now on the MasGusto! Latino Market App and get it delivered to your home as fast as tomorrow.

To prepare fresh nopale, remove thorns and edges with a knife, wash thoroughly, and cut into strips or cubes before cooking.

Nopale has a mild, slightly tangy flavor and a texture similar to green beans or asparagus.

Yes, blanch nopale for a few minutes, cool and drain, then freeze in airtight bags.

Yes, nopale can be eaten raw in salads after thorough cleaning and slicing, but some prefer it cooked to reduce the slime.

Spoiled nopale will be discolored, slimier than usual, and have an off smell.

Canned or jarred nopale is already cooked and preserved in brine, making it convenient but sometimes slightly more tangy than fresh.

You can buy it at MasGusto! Latino Market, www.masgusto.com.

One medium pad per serving is a good starting point; adjust to taste and recipe size.