Anyone cook cactus??

[laughsandlaughs]

Has anyone here cooked cactus? Any tips? What's it resemble? I just moved to S. CA. from Texas and since I was raised in N.C., where cactus isn't readily available, I feel like I'm missing out and should try it. Have any recipes for me? My husband doesn't eat meat, but if you have something terrific, give it to me anyway, I'm good at coming up with substitutions.

I found the Tomatillo-and-Cactus Soup recipe on the CL website, and am wondering if it's good.

Thanks!!

[ebobbitt]

laughsandlaughs, a couple of months ago (fairly recently) there was an article in CL (with recipes) about cactus. I didn't make anything because I have no idea what it's supposed to taste like.
Elizabeth

[SQ]

There were a few threads on cactus a while ago. Here is one of them:
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/006596.html

If you do a BB search on cactus you'll find a few more. I don't remember many reviews on the cactus recipes, though. I look forward to hearing about your experiences.


[This message has been edited by SQ (edited 06-15-2001).]

[funnybone]

I have never, ever seen it in any store I have ever been in, and we have moved around a lot too. If I were to see it one day, I would be curious enough to try it.

[Don]

Well, I saw it fresh in the store when I lived in Los Angeles, and not since. When I read about taking the spines out with plyers, I decided that it was one vegetable that wasn't worth the effort. On the other hand, you can purchase "Nopalitos" in a jar, which are slices of cactus. I can even find those in Baltimore. I think they have a slightly pickled taste and they go good with Mexican foods. If I can find some recipes, I'll send them your way. Just be sure to wash off the solution that they are jarred in before cooking. It's kind of slimy, although not unpleasant.

[SusanL]

I saw it in a jar on Saturday, at the Giant Store. Next time I go I will check to see how much and the brand name, if you are still interested!!

[beccathebaker]

Actually my eccentric uncle and I have made "napoles tamales" which are basically cactus tamales. We bought the actual cactus pads at Hypermart (believe it or not!) and then had to remove all of the prickers before cooking them. The cactus is very slimy(similar to okra) but once cooked in a flavorful way it is really tasty. I was very suprised how much I liked it.