Daily Feature Glossary Terms

The edible leaf or paddle of the prickly pear cactus. Nopal is the Mexican word for cactus and the leaf growing on the stem is referred to as Nopales. The leaf is prepared by removing the thorns and eyes, after which it is served fresh, canned, cooked, steamed, or pickled. When the leaf is prepared for steaming, canning or pickling, it is often diced or cut into strips and is then referred to as Nopalitos.