How to cook a cactus pear

!±8± How to cook a cactus pear

Prickly pear cactus or prickly pear, grows in many places in the U.S. and across America, and not only in dry places where the cacti are more at home. I know people who use the fig of India for the beautification of North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and other places that are anything but dry.

Given its wide range and ease of growth, not to mention the wealth of his nature, I'm surprised it does not show up in more recipes than it does. Perhaps it is theDifficulties in gathering the cactus pads, that most frightens aspiring chefs.

Prickly pear pads you can in many Mexican specialty food shops, tiendas, or where you can find under the name "nopal". When crushed, and the food can be found in a Mexican restaurant, the pieces can be called "nopalitos." The scientific genus name, in which about 250 species, Opuntia.

Even if you decide to grow some cool pads harvested from a plant in your garden,It's worth the extra effort. Indeed, it is a versatile plant that can be cooked in a variety of delicious ways. Scientists have discovered that many health benefits.

When you collect cactus pads, either by site or by nature, you should wear thick gloves for your hands from thorns and called hair-like growths glochids that can irritate your skin really protect. Try to only the young tender pads to pick up his shiny, greenolder ones.

Remove the pins and carefully remove the pads glochids. Once peeled, you can also eat the pads first if you want. Try to cut into small pieces and add them to salads, which has the flavor of green peppers.

Fico d'India for cooking, bring a pot with water to a boil. Peel and slice some rather large cactus pad and release the slices in boiling water. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. RemoveHeat and drain. Now you can butter and your favorite spices (garlic powder is great!) And serve.

You can also Sautee prickly pear pieces in a pan. With or without sauce, is an interesting side dish to any meal.

A popular dish in the U.S. southwest and Mexico is part of an omelette with prickly pear pads. Even in this case only the chopped cactus pads boil in a saucepan and add the batter of eggs for the omelette.

As you can cook withCactus is not as terrible as it might for those who are not familiar with a long history of use of this plant in the kitchen from the south of the border, it seems. Try it!