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Tacos de nopales asados
Grilled cactus tacos
Tacos de nopales asados: central Mexico's grilled cactus-paddle tacos with spring onions and salsa verde
At weekend markets in Milpa Alta, the cactus-growing district on Mexico City's southern edge, whole nopal paddles are grilled until tender and folded into tortillas with charred spring onions and salsa verde. Grilling dries the natural slime the cactus is known for and leaves a lemony, green-bean flavour. It is a light, naturally vegan taco. Buy paddles with the spines already removed, or scrape them carefully with a knife. Chef's tip: score the paddles in a criss-cross before grilling so they cook evenly and stay flat.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 6 nopal cactus paddles, cleaned of spinesabout 600 g
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp coarse salt
- ¾ cup salsa verde
- 1 limein wedges
- ⅓ oz fresh cilantro (coriander) (optional)chopped
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Rinse the 6 nopal cactus paddles, cleaned of spines, pat dry and trim the rough edge. Score both sides lightly in a criss-cross, then brush with the 1 tbsp vegetable oil and sprinkle with the 1 tsp coarse salt. Toss the 6 spring onions in the same oil.
5 minStep 2: Heat a griddle pan or comal over a medium-high heat. Grill the paddles for 5–6 minutes a side, pressing down, until they turn from bright to olive green, char in patches and the slimy juices have dried up. Lifting them too soon is the common mistake and leaves them slippery.
12 minStep 3: Grill the onions alongside for 5–6 minutes until soft and blackened in spots.
6 minStep 4: Warm the 12 corn tortillas on the comal. Slice the nopales into strips and pile into the tortillas with the onions, ¾ cup salsa verde, a squeeze of 1 lime and ⅓ oz fresh cilantro (coriander).
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 220 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 40 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fibre
- 9 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does tacos de nopales asados take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of spring onions?
- Chives, or a little finely sliced onion.
- What can I use instead of corn tortillas?
- Small flour tortillas (not gluten free).
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