6/9 Fresh Cactus and Lime Fajitas
Photo By: S. Duquet
I would love to hear the story of the first person that looked at a cactus pad and said, “I should eat that.” They are large, spiny, strange looking and SO delicious! The paddle cactus aka napoles is a genus in the cactus family.
The fruit of the plant is also known as a cactus fig (we know them most commonly as prickly pears…think margarita)
Once you have taken the spines off of the pads, oiled and grilled them, you will not believe how scrumptious they are. They taste like a green pepper that has been infused with lime. They are amazing with other veggies in a fajita, which is how Sandy prepared them. This recipe will dazzle your friends. The next time you fire up the grill, get your cactus on.
Fresh Cactus and Lime Fajitas
Photo By: S. Duquet
Ingredients2 cactus leaves, edges trimmed, spines removed and “eyes” or dark tips gently shaved off with a knife
1 yellow pepper
1 lime, quartered
2 lawash rounds
3 tbsp of garlic olive oil
1 tbsp of cumin
Toppings (optional) sliced green olives, vegan shredded cheese, salsa
Make it happen:
Brush the cactus leaves front and back with garlic olive oil.
Quarter the yellow pepper and brush with garlic olive oil, set aside any remaining olive oil for tossing over cactus and pepper after grilling.
Grill the cactus and pepper about 4 minutes each side until you get nice grill marks and the cactus is heated through. Warm the lawash rounds on the grill for about 30 seconds each side. Slice the pepper and cactus (horizontally) into strips, toss in a bowl with remaining olive oil, cumin and the lime juice from one of the quarters (more if desired). Divide in half and place in warm lawash rounds.
Top with sliced olives, shredded cheese and salsa (all optional) and serve with refried beans on the side and a lime wedge garnish.
These nopalitos or cactus leaves are amazingly delicious. We first tried them on a trip to the Mayan Riviera, where they are served in abundance. We were delighted to learn that the traditional Mayan diet was primarily vegetarian, so eating “vegetariano” was as easy as ordering cervezas.
Give cactus a try for an impressive grilling alternative. You will not believe how tasty they are. They are like consuming the Mayan sun with a shot of “I rule because I eat so healthy!”
Have a great day.
*Prickly pear photo from Wikipedia.com
Tags: cactus fajitas, cactus recipe, compassionate eating, dairy free, dairy free cheese, Daiya cheese, mexican vegan entree, nopales, prickly pear, trying vegan, trying vegetarian, vegan, vegan challenge, vegan entree, vegan experience, vegan recipe, vegetarian recipe
