Tag: Nopalitos

Over 200 species of prickly pear cactus exist, but you cannot eat the whole prickly pear fruit due to its inedible, spiny skin and pulp. While the skin must be carefully removed, the juicy, nutrient-rich pulp and seeds are perfectly safe and delicious to eat after proper preparation.

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.