Tag: Cooking cactus

Many people are surprised to learn that numerous types of cacti are edible, offering a range of culinary applications. However, the presence of sharp spines, and especially the tiny, barbed glochids, requires careful identification and preparation to safely eat cactus with spikes.

According to the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, both the pads (nopales) and fruit (tunas) of the prickly pear cactus are edible. So, can you eat cactus if you cook it? Yes, and cooking is actually a preferred method for many people to reduce the cactus's natural sliminess and bring out its mild, tangy flavor.