Larry Ulrich
The recipes for this page were taken from the Eating Wild cookbook prepared by the Otero County Chapter ot the Native Plant society of New Mexico 1999.
Nopales or pads should be harvested when the pads are young
and tender. To prepare, scrape with large kitchen knife or peel
off spines with vegetable peeler. Trim any dry of fibrous areas.
Rise throughly removing any tiny spines or sticky fluid seeping
from the pads. Slice into thin strips or chop into small pieces.
Steam, sautee', or boil. Nopales may be eaten raw, but it is not
the preferred way. The prepared pieces may be added to any dish
for a southwestern flavor. Nopales can be stored in a plastic
bag in the refrigerator for up to a week. Freezing is not recommended.
Nancy Hutto
Prickly pears grow in a number of places around the world. The nopales are also available in many grocery stores.
Tunas or prickly pear fruit should be picked using tong or
a piece of heavy paper. To prepare tunas, rub with a heavy cloth
or peel with a paring knife. To make juice, unpeeled whole fruit
can be cooked with just enough water to cover in a sauce pan.
Mash with potato masher and let cook 30 minutes. Strain through
several layers of cheese cloth or cotton muslin dish towel.
Nancy Hutto
2 cups Nopalitos, diced 1/2" pieces
4 green onions
1/2 lbs. tomatoes peeled
1/4 C. lime juice
2T. minced cilantro
salt
1 bell pepper, chopped
Combine nopalitos, onions, lime juice and cilantro. Mix and season with salt. Server or cover and chill.
Makes 8 servings
Nancy Hutto
1. Crust: 1 cup flour
1 stick butter
1 cup chopped pecans
Mix together and press in 9" x 13" pan.Bake at 350 degrees
F until brown. Let cool and add second layer.
2. Mix: 8 oz cream cheese
1 cup poudered sugar
1 cup Cool Whip (large carton)
Spread evenly over cooled crust.
3. Boil: 1-1/2 cup prickly pear juice
1-1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix 1/2 cup corn starch and 1/2 cup water to make a smooth paste,
add to boiling mixture gradually, stirring constantly. Cook until
thick and remove from the heat. Combine 4 beaten eggs and 1/2
cup lemon juice. Stir into mixture. Return to heat and cook stirring
constantly until it bubbles. stir in 4 tablespoons butter. Remove
from heat, cover, and cool until lukewarm. Pour over cream cheese
layer. Spread evenly. Top with remaining Cool Whip.
Nancy Hutto
1/2 cup butter | 3/4 cup brown sugar |
1 teaspoon baking soda | 3/4 cup sour cream |
1/4 cup prickly pear juice | 1 egg |
1/4 cup prickly pear fruit peeled, seeded and diced | 1 teaspoon vanilla |
1/4 cup maraschino cherries | 1-1/3 cup flour |
1/4 cup chopped pecans |
Cream butter and sugar. Blend in sour cream, egg and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients and blend in sour cream mixture. Add prickly pear juice, fruit, cherries and nuts. Drop from teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes.
Makes 2-1/2 dozen cookies.
Nancy Weinert developed these cookies in her University of Arizona
experimental foods class. They are pink and pretty.
Nancy Hutto
Juice:
With tongs and a bucket, gather tunas when they have turned a
dark burgandy color. Cut in half (no need to remove the prickles).
Suggestion: Hold with a fork and cut in half. Place in a pan and
cover with water. Bring to a boil for 30 minutes. Strain through
muslin or wet guaze four times.
Jelly
2 cups Prickly Pear Juice
1 cup apple juice
2-3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup sugar mixed with package Sure-Jell Light
Follow direction for jellies on Sure-Jell package.
Makes 6 to 8 cups or 3 to 4 pints.
Pat Hendzel