| Yes you can eat cactus! And it's super good for you! The common prickly pear Nopales cactus can grow all over the world and is destined to be the next big herbal superstar. Each part of this plant is both food and medicine, and its been used for centuries. It helps with everything from weight control to diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, cholesterol, and skin problems. The fruit of the cactus, which looks like pink easter eggs—also known as the pulp or tuna, can be eaten much like other fruits. They taste like raspberries and are SUPER high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium, beta carotene, potassium, cancer-protecting flavonoids and huge doses of vitamin C. Prickly pear fruit has been clinically shown to reduce cholesterol. Seeds can be ground into flour. The flat green pads contain a full range of amino acids, the building blocks of protein. It is extremely rare for a plant source to have this many amino acids. It’s very high in dietary soluble fiber, mucilage and pectin. Mucilage is the sticky juice that oozes from the pad when it is sliced, the same mucilaginous immune- boosting polysaccharide found in Aloe Vera. Studies have shown the prickly pear cactus to be effective against diabetes. Apparently, it helps the pancreas create insulin. Amazing. The juice can be applied to warts and consumed to work on kidney stones. Tea made from the pads are used for lung problems, prostate issues and diabetes.
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Cara’s Amazing Marinated Cactus Recipe: 3 prickly pear (Nopales) cactus pads
1 red onion
Marinade:
3 Tablespoons olive oil
3 Tablespoons soy sauce or Tamari
Juice 1 lemon
1/3- 1/2 Tablespoon Chipotle powder
Remove cactus prickles with knife and cut cactus into strips if you want. Coat cactus with marinade and place on dehydrator sheet. Mince onion and stir with remaining sauce and top onto cactus. Sprinkle some more chipotle powder over everything and dehydrate 118F / 45C overnight or at least 10 hours. Eat warm right out of dehydrator. You can keep the dehydrator going for a whole day if you want and just take another piece out as you pass by throughout the day. YUM!!!
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