Nopales are the shoots or pads found on the prickly pear cactus, which are peeled in order to remove the spines. Some say that nopales have a flavor and slimy texture similar to okra. Also like okra, nopales seem to be an acquired taste, although they are very popular in Mexico and in some Southwestern American food.

Nopales can be found in many grocery stores, especially in areas with a large Hispanic population. You can find them raw in the produce section, either in bulk or in plastic bags. Nopales may need to be boiled twice to become tender. After the first boiling, drain the water and boil them again in fresh water. Rinse the nopales, let them cool, rinse them again, and let them dry in a colander.

Another option for those wanting to cook with nopales is to buy them canned. Canned nopales are available diced, cut into strips, seasoned, or unseasoned. You can add the drained nopales to many dishes as a garnish or to salsa. The nopales can also be scrambled with eggs and served with salsa. This dish is called huevos con nopales, or "eggs with nopales." Tacos de nopales, or "cactus tacos," are also very popular in some parts of Mexico.

Very nutritious, nopales are rich in dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble. They also contain vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin K. Minerals are also plentiful, as nopales contain potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, and manganese. They also contain flavonoids, a type of antioxidant. Nopales have no saturated fat or cholesterol, and very little sodium.

Nopales can reduce the glycemic index of a meal, and have been used to decrease the level of glucose in diabetics' blood. Pills and powders made from the plant have also become popular, as its health benefits are becoming more widely known. The American Heart Society, for example, is researching the use of nopales to help manage cholesterol levels.

Over 10,000 farmers grow nopales in Mexico. In all, they produce about $150 million US Dollars worth of the cactus shoots every year. It is easy to find raw nopales in outdoor markets in Mexico.