Ingredients

How to make it

  • 1.To prepare the cactus, hold by the end and use a scrub brush (or kitchen sponge) to lightly scrub off the thorns on cacus paddle. Flip and repeat on other side. Set aside and finish then all. Cut the "stem/butt" end off of cactus, and continue to cut around the outside edge of cactus. Cut each directly in half.
  • 2.Place tomato, onion, jalapeno, galic cloves and oil onto foil wrapped pan and place into oven on low broil until skins are blistered. About 20 minutes. Remove skins and place into blender with cumin, water, salt, pepper and chicken bouillon. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
  • 3.Bring pot of water to boil, add tomatillo husk, salt and cactus. Simmer until cactus is tender, about 45 minutes. Drain water and discard husk.
  • 4.Beat egg whites until stiff. Continue beating and add the egg yolks. Set aside. Place flour into dish big enough to dredge each cactus. Heat skillet with oil for frying.
  • 5.Place paddles of same size together. Take slices of cheese and place onto one peice of cactus, make sure its not sticking out the side. Place matching sized peice of cactus on top (like a sandwich). Carefully hold it together and dredge it into the flour, make sure the flour stays well by rubbing it into the cactus leaves. Then dip the cactus into egg mixture, cover all sides well. You may use a fork and spoon and carefully transfer this into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, flipping only once. About 7-9 minutes on each side. Once golden brown remove from oil and let drain on paper towels. Continue until all are done.
  • 6.Place tomato salsa mixture onto plate and place cactus on top. Serve with tortillas and sour cream.

Reviews & Comments 10

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  • gonenuts72 12 years ago
    I LOVE mexican, I LOVE chili rellenos but WHERE in Gods green earth to find a cactus paddle???? Oyyyy Vayyyyy....
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  • iwannabachef 12 years ago
    This looks SO delicious!!! I will have to try it.. Thanks for sharing :)
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  • hungrybear 13 years ago
    a Goody
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    " It was excellent "
    elgourmand ate it and said...
    Nopalitos done this way are delicious. This is a really excellent recipe and will work very well. If you like these try Cactus Scrambled Eggs For those who can't get fresh nopalitos you can get them in a jar, not as good as fresh but better than nothing. Thanks for the post. RJ
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  • shandy 13 years ago
    What an unusual recipe! Love your pictures displaying each step. Thank you for all the effort to make this look like a recipe we all can do; YUM!
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  • jett2whit 13 years ago
    Thank you so much for the pictures. What is obvious to one person might not be to another. I just might have to try this :)
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  • chuckieb 13 years ago
    That is an amazing recipe and fantastic step-by-step photos. I didn't even know you could eat cactus! That is very, very cool and looks delicious!
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  • cuzpat 13 years ago
    Wow! how different and yummy sounding!
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  • keni 13 years ago
    You KNOW authentic Mexican is my downfall! Have yet to find Nopale, here, but I haven't stopped looking! :) Great post, my friend... good job!
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  • kristopher 13 years ago
    Most awesomely unique recipe of the week award! Featured on the homepage today.
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  • jkirk 13 years ago
    We bought some prickly Pear Cactus Syrup while on vacation in AZ. I guess we should have brought back the whole cactus to try this recipe too. : ) It sounds interesting, and good. Where did you get your cactus?
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