Nopales:

Are a very popular Mexican vegetable made from the young pads or paddles of the prickly pear.


 The are covered with spines which are deftly removed by the sellers and are sold fresh in large quantities at all the markets. The smaller paddles are the most tender. Nopales are slightly tart in flavour with a mucilaginous texture when cooked, this liquid then becomes part of the dish being prepared. They form large part of the Mexican cuisine and are widely used. I have been including the raw flesh in with my juices  prepare, it's supposed to be very good for you. The fruit of the prickly pear is also sold in the markets.