Have you ever? [en.wikipedia.org]



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/25/2012 06:35PM by banana who.

Don't get the thread title, and no, haven't ever tried nopales. Oddly, in the spring and summertime, even the local Kroger has them. I'd sooner get them from the barrio to try, because they are likely a higher quality. Nopales are generally eaten cooked, FYI, but there are raw relish type salads that use them, you know, with red onion and fresh corn and a limejuice dressing. That actually sound yummy . . .

If you read the Wiki entry, Tam, it explains that prickly pear are also called tunas.

I have seen nopales as the flat cactus pads, but this is what I am talking about: [theadventuresoftintin.typepad.com]

I tried it recently and found it to be an interesting flavor. I am not crazy about the large seeds (reminds me of guava) so I came up with an interesting idea: BLENDING them with other things (maybe a green smoothie ). Apparently they are medicinal!

<<Most species of Opuntia contain a range of alkaloids in variable quantities, such as substituted phenethylamines.[citation needed] Identified compounds that may have biological activity include 3-methoxytyramine, candicine and hordenine, as examples.[citation needed] The Sicilian prickly pear contains betalain, betanin and indicaxanthin, with highest levels in their fruits>> From Wiki

Quote

Apparently they are medicinal!

Oooh, that sort of language is frowned upon here

Tam: ??? Please fill me in on that private joke.

I think Tamukha means we're not allowed to make any medical claims about anything - it's Against the Law and the FDA will come and get you if you do.

[www.fda.gov]

They went after Mercola -

[www.quackwatch.com]

No she is referring to my posts
But thanks for the links kidraw

fresh for the win, ding-ding!

Still don't understand why "prickly pear" is called tuna in some places; makes no sense.

I am just pumped by the idea of putting it in smoothies and it being a stimulant of sorts. Some of them are even psychedelic, man. Like wow...

Please check in with us occasionally while trippin', Dead Head Nanners

I had a friend from Mexico who loved nopales. She preferred young, small ones because they were more tender and called them nopalitos.


My favorite raw vegan



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/2012 12:32AM by Trive.

Truckin'...Nah, not a huge fan of the tie-dyed Dead. But I found it intriguing that they may be medicinal. I think I'd use them in green smoothies. They have big, edible seeds which remind me of guava. I don't mind seeds but when they are that big they are a little hard to chew.

heh ! tuna really !? interesting

i suspect the tuna name came long before the fish was named tuna ..

i wonder what came first .. the tuna or the tuna ?

...Jodi, the banana eating buddhist

if u ever got them out in the wild
you would never forget it
first of all, every little circle you see on those red prickly pears at the store
was a place where fine needles were sprouting out of ( which is why it is a cactus)

if you ever try to eat one in nature
you are asking for trouble ( or adventure)

you have to find a way to knock it off its main plant
then you have to find a way to brush off the needles ( can do it with a knife... but you also have to get a "hold" of a bunch of needles without getting it stuck in you)

so cutting it in half is a good way

you scoop it out

and there are tons of seeds ( so i don't see how you can blend it for a smoothie)

you need to get it when it is a darkly reddish fuschia color otherwise it will just taste like nothing

the flavor is quite mild

there are plenty of seeds to spit out

its definitely not my favorite food to eat

cuz its a real pain to get at them

but it kinda feels like an astonishing accomplishment when you are able to eat one without having your tongue stuck with a thousand needles

you feel absolutely..... uhhmm....

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