The nopal cactus, native to Mexico, is commonly known in English as the prickly pear cactus (español: nopal y tuna). It is known for high antioxidant, vitamin, and mineral content. Nopales are the pads of the nopal cactus. Sauteed nopales can be added to many dishes, such as salads, quesadillas or scrambled eggs. The sweet and colorful prickly pears, called tunas in Spanish, are delicious just as they are. Just peel and eat. The prickly pear fruit contains the flavonoids kaempferol and quercetin, which are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
| RECIPE | Sauteed Nopales |
| Nutrition Facts: 1 cup of raw nopal contains |
|---|
| calcium 141 mg calories 13.8 carbohydrates 2.86 g fat 0.8 g fiber 1.89 g protein 1.14 g sugar 0.99 g vitamin A 198 mcg vitamin C 8 mg vitamin K 4.56 mcg |
When I switched to plant-based living after a lifetime of meals planned around a main course of meat, I immediately felt positive effects and found it surprisingly easy, even fun, to change my habits and explore new ways of enjoying food. Fruit and Stuff is a collection of some of the many things I have learned since I started the journey.