Really yummy---try this :)

“Just thought I'd share this- I was looking for a recipie for my large prickly pear cactus in my garden and I came on some good ones on the net. Anyway I tried this one and I really liked it! (I had it last night)




CACTUS A LA SHRIMP
(Nopalitos con Cameron)
1 package (6 to 8 pads if you harvest it yourself) of fresh cut up cactus
2 packages dried shrimp
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
3 tbs.. red chile powder
3 tbs.. tomato sauce
1 cut up bell pepper
1\2 tsp. cooking oil
1/2 tsp. black pepper

Preparation of Prickly pears: Use a knife or the top of a parer to remove the "eyes" or prickles from 6 or 8 young, tender cactus pads. Trim off any dry or fibrous areas and rinse thoroughly to remove any stray spines as well as the mucilaginous sap (much like the sap of Okra) that exudes from the pads. Cut the cactus into small pieces. Put them in a deep pan with about a quart of water. Cover. Use medium heat and cook for about 30 minutes. At this point also put the dried shrimp in another pan with about 1/2 cup of water and bring to a boil. Save juice to add later to the cactus. When cooked, drain cactus and shrimp in separate colanders. Have skillet ready with cooking oil at medium heat. Put cactus in the skillet and stir. Quickly add salt, cumin, garlic, red chile powder and pieces of bell pepper. stir. Add tomato sauce and shrimp juice and stir. Sprinkle in a few shrimp and stir. Cactus should be cooked by now. Empty the cactus into a platter and decorate with the remaining shrimp. If desired, sprinkle cheese on cooked cactus & shrimp. Serves about 6.”

“Not bad once you get past the needles.”

“Careful with that hot cooking oil, Free.”

“the young pads dont have real needles :) just short green thingys that you peel off anyway :P”

“LOL@ oreo. Your such a kidder!”

“Take a soft pretzel, slice it like a bagel. Toast it and spread with creamcheese. Now that is yummy!”

“How boring, needles would make it a challenge.”

“hey must hike it it helps I get spined by the big plant when i pick the small pads... :D”

“Is that true or are you just trying to make me feel good?”

“That stuff grows wild around here. I never thought about eating it, much less growing it.

What does cactus taste like?”

“doesn't everything taste like chicken?”

“I am not Free...........”

“????????????????????????”

“Cactus tastes a lot like green beans to me :)”

“Yeah, but where can you find the peyote?”

“At this very moment I am talking to our Spanish teacher and she laughed when I asked her if she knew Nopalitos con camaron. She told me that she made Pollo con mole yesterday. She says it's obligatory in Puebla on 'Cinco de mayo'.

Just to make everyone gag, my favourite snack is thinly sliced pepperoni or hard salami on pita bread spread with peanut butter. It's great on the trail, particularly in winter. Trust me.

In France, this is called a 'pause-saucisson', literally 'sausage break', although the peanut butter idea comes from me - they use cheese and that's good, too.”