Have you tried eating cactus, also known as nopales? I remember back when I learned they were edible — all I could picture were thorns.
I grew up in the Midwest and wasn’t familiar with cactus, but I’m happy I learned.
The cactus paddles are delicious served many ways — in tacos, sauteed with red chile, grilled, juiced, and in smoothies. And the small, pink prickly pears are a perfect sweet treat.
Nopal cactus is full of nutrients used in traditional and folk medicine. They’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Here’s a quick and easy recipe for a morning smoothie.
📖 Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup of diced cactus paddle, spines removed
- ½ cup frozen pineapple
- 1 ½ cup frozen strawberries
- 2 bananas
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Place ingredients blender
- Blend until smooth
Nutrition
Julie Gaeta is a plant-based recipe creator, certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach (INHC) with advanced training in hormone health, trained yoga instructor, former restaurant owner, and mom of nine who’s been plant-based for over 20 years. She’s cooked approximately 4,382 pots of beans and reinvented comfort food more times than she can count. She’s completed multiple half marathons and a Tough Mudder because she can’t resist a new adventure — and apparently, she can’t vacation without cooking either, since her juicer (beets and greens, too) and pasta pot always come along. Julie’s work has been featured in HuffPost, Yahoo, YourTango, Mamamia, MSN, Redfin, Better Humans, and The Good Men Project. Through her blog, coaching, and weekly newsletter, she helps others simplify wellness, build lasting habits, and feel good again — one grounded, delicious choice at a time.
Julie Gaeta says
I’ve been making this smoothie for years, and it never gets old. It’s light, refreshing, and the pineapple balances the cactus perfectly. It always leaves me feeling energized, nourished, and ready to start the day!