Cactus Fries Nopalitos Fritos Recipes

CACTUS FRIES (NOPALITOS FRITOS)

Steps:

• Remove thorns and "eyes" from cactus, and trim off the edges of pads.
• Blanch cactus for 2 minutes in a covered pan with enough boiling salted water to cover; drain.
• Cut cactus in 3- to 4-inch strips similar to French fries; set aside.
• Combine cornstarch and achiote paste in a blender or food processor, and pulse until smooth.
• In a medium-size bowl, combine flour and baking powder, add cornstarch mixture, and blend well.
• In another bowl, beat egg white to stiff meringue.
• Fold into the flour mixture, alternating with enough ice water to make batter the consistency of unbeaten egg white; chill.
• Dredge cactus strips in batter, and fry in deep hot oil (375° on the thermometer) until crisp and golden, approximately 3 minutes.
• Drain well and serve.

FRIED CACTUS STRIPS

Steps:

• Remove all needles and spines from cactus pads. Slice into 1/2-in.-wide strips. Wash thoroughly; drain and pat dry. Set aside. In a shallow bowl, combine flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. In another bowl, lightly beat eggs and milk. Combine the bread and saltine crumbs, chili powder, cayenne pepper and remaining salt; set aside. Dredge cactus strips in flour mixture, shake off excess. Dip in egg mixture, then coat with crumb mixture. , In a deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry strips until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve with picante sauce.

NOPALITO PIE (CACTUS PIE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Parboil cactus for 3 minutes in enough boiling, lightly salted water to cover in a covered saucepan.
• Drain and rinse under running water.
• Roll half of pastry to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
• Place in a 9-inch pie plate; trim off excess pastry along edges and set to the side.
• Combine cactus dice (nopalitos) and next three ingredients; mix well by hand.
• Spoon filling evenly into pastry shell, and dot with butter.
• Roll remaining pastry to 1/8-inch thickness; cut into 1/2-inch strips and arrange into lattice; fold edges under and flute into a pretty edge.
• Bake for 50-60 minutes.
• Garnish with slice of prickly pear fruit, if desired.

NOPALITOS CON PAPAS

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the potatoes, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally until they begin to soften, about 10 minutes. Stir in the nopalitos, onion, tomato, and jalapeno. Season to taste with salt, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion has softened and turned translucent, and the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes more.