Prickly Pear Cacti are No Pals

Nopales (prickly pear cactus leaves)
Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Vegetarian recipes from recently released cookbooks:

"Rosa's New Mexican Table," by Roberto Santibanez(Artisan, 2007)
Image courtesy of bn.com

No need to go to New York to eat at Rosa Mexicano when you have this new book in hand. The restaurant's chef and culinary director presents recipes of signature dishes, from the food inspired by Mexican street fare to less orthodox concoctions. Stuffed with meat and fish, the collection will be rough terrain for vegetarians, but the descriptions of chilies and other more exotic materials are eye-openers. Salsas and bean dishes are winners, too.

-- Evelyn Shih

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Nopales (prickly pear cactus leaves)

* 6 large cactus leaves (about 1½ pounds)
* 2 cups water
* ½ small white onion (about 2 ounces), thinly sliced
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
* 1 chili de Ტol (with seeds), wiped clean, well-toasted and chopped (see note)
* 1½ teaspoons salt
Image courtesy of ranchogordo.com

To remove the spines from the cactus leaves: Put on a pair of heavy rubber or canvas gloves and hold a leaf firmly in place with one hand. With the other hand, run a knife along the leaf to scrape off the spines. Be sure to remove all spines.

Cut the leaves crosswise into thin strips, making the strips a little thinner on the wide end of the leaves. Put the strips in a large saucepan, add water, onion, olive oil, oregano, chili de Ტol and salt. Bring to a boil, then drop heat to a simmer. Cook until the water is boiled off and the cactus is frying in the remaining oil, about 10 minutes. The cactus should remain a little crunchy. Serve as is, hot or at room temperature.

Servings: 4.

Note: To toast the chili de Ტol, wipe the chili clean with a damp towel to remove dust. Pull the stem off and cut a slit down the length of the chili. Leave the seeds inside. Heat a dry skillet or comal over low heat. Lay the chili on the skillet and, using tongs, press it lightly. Turn it every 30 seconds until it blisters, colors on the outside and turns a tobacco color inside.

Copyright © 2007 North Jersey Media Group Inc.