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Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Nopales, pronounced noh-pahl-es, are the pads or cladodes of the common edible cactus, ficus-indica. Harvested young for tenderness, the pads have sharp spines across its entirety that need to be handled carefully and removed before cooking and consumption. Large and mostly flat, the pads are usually only about half an inch thick and oval in shape. Nopales should be moderately bright green when fresh and fade to a muted olive green after cooking. The texture of Nopales is tender and slightly gelatinous with a tender toothsome crunch.
Seasons/Availability
Nopales are available year-round with a peak season in mid-spring.
Current Facts
Nopales, botanically classified as Opuntia ficus-indica, was a source of nutritious food for Native Americans. This cacti was once used as a host plant for cochineal insects. Consuming the cacti moisture and nutrients turned the insects vibrant red, after which they would be processed for use in food grade dyes.
Nutritional Value
Nopales is an excellent source of vitamin A, C and B. Nopales cactus contains a large amount of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to high concentrations of the bioflavonoid quercetin. Nopales is being studied as a possible treatment for type 2 diabetes due to its highly effective ability to stabilize the blood glucose levels in patients who consumed moderated amounts daily.
Applications
Nopales must always have its spines carefully removed before further preparations can be executed. Usually cooked, Nopales can be very refreshing and benefitting when blended raw with pineapple, orange and parsley for a morning smoothie. Blanched and sauteed with chorizo, Nopales make for a traditional accompaniment to eggs in the morning. Add to tortilla or chicken soup for texture and viscosity. Nopales are commonly blanched in salt water and added to salads with corn, fried jalapenos and black beans for a hearty lunch or light dinner. Fresh Nopales can be preserved by many methods, including pickled, canned, dehydrated or frozen.
Geography/History
Nopales is native to central Mexico, where evidence was found of its consumption as a food dating back 9,000 years. Nopales are commonly cultivated today in tropical and subtropical America, Mediterranean, tropical Africa, India and southeast Asia.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Red O Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-291-8360 |
| Miguel's Cocina Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-437-4237 |
| Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 760-759-1843 |
| Miho Gastrotruck | San Diego CA | 619-867-4295 |
| Miguel's 4S Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-924-9200 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| San Diego Humane Society | San Diego CA | 619-299-7012 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Nopales Cactus Leaf. One
is
easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Nopales Cactus Leaf using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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PCC Community Markets
PCC Natural Markets - Fremont
Near Seattle, Washington, United States600 N 34th St Seattle WA 98103 206-632-6811 https://www.pccnaturalmarkets.com About 154 days ago, 4/26/20 Sharer's comments : Super-food due to its antioxidant and cholesterol reducing properties. Lovely diced, sautéed and added to tacos! 
Northgate Gonzalez Markets
Northgate Market - Lincoln Ave
Near Anaheim, California, United States2030 E. Lincoln Ave. Anaheim CA 92806 714-507-7640 https://www.northgatemarkets.com About 246 days ago, 1/25/20 Sharer's comments : Beautiful display. 
Cardenas Markets
Cardenas Market - El Centro
Near El Centro, California, United States1620 N Imperial Ave El Centro CA 92243 760-482-0139 https://www.cardenasmarkets.com About 250 days ago, 1/21/20 
El Rancho Market
El Rancho Market - Arizona Ave
Near Glendale, Arizona, United States1076 N Arizona Ave Chandler AZ 85225 480-792-1414 http://www.elrancho.iga.com About 251 days ago, 1/20/20 
Food City
Food City - Southern Ave
Limassol, Cyprus4727 E Southern Ave Phoenix AZ 85042 602-438-4647 http://www.myfoodcity.com About 252 days ago, 1/19/20 
El Super
El Super - E Southern Ave
Near Mesa, Arizona, United States1251 E Southern Ave Mesa AZ 85204 480-868-2484 http://www.elsupermarkets.com About 264 days ago, 1/07/20 
Mercado Liz
Baja California, MexicoAbout 357 days ago, 10/06/19 Sharer's comments : These are a Latin favorite .. Oviedo Farmers Market Near Oviedo, Florida, United States About 386 days ago, 9/07/19 Apopka Market at Tractor Supply Near Apopka, Florida, United States About 407 days ago, 8/17/19 
Ortegas
Ortegas Market
Near Petaluma, California, United States946 Caulfield Lane C Petaluma CA 94952 707-766-8093 About 432 days ago, 7/23/19 Apopka Market at Tractor Supply Near Apopka, Florida, United States About 435 days ago, 7/20/19 
Rick’s Produce
Rick’s Produce Market
Near Los Angeles, California, United States755 N. Virgil Street Los Angeles CA 90029 626-646-5213 About 436 days ago, 7/19/19 
Carniceria Casa Maria
Casa Maria
Near San Francisco, California, United States1201 S. Van Ness Ave San Francisco CA 94110 415-550-6892 About 441 days ago, 7/14/19 
La Bodega Market
La Bodega Market
Near Orange, California, United States259 S Tustin St Orange CA 92866 714-633-7978 About 455 days ago, 6/30/19 
El Castillo
El Castillo Carniceria/Food Market
Near Pacoima, California, United States11924 Footjill Blvd Sylmar CA 91342 818-834-3350 About 456 days ago, 6/29/19 
Baja Ranch Market
Baja Ranch Market
Near Altadena, California, United States2515 N Fair Oaks Drive Altadena CA 91001 626-204-0171 About 457 days ago, 6/28/19 
La Reina Market
La Reina Market - East Street
Near Anaheim, California, United States508 N East Street Anaheim CA 92805 714-772-0582 About 463 days ago, 6/22/19 
El Super
El Super - Anaheim Blvd
Near Anaheim, California, United States1222 S. Anaheim Blvd. Anaheim CA 92805 714-518-5496 About 463 days ago, 6/22/19 Sharer's comments : Cleaned and ready Apopka Market at Tractor Supply Near Apopka, Florida, United States About 470 days ago, 6/15/19 
Coco Frio Fresh Produce
Coco Frio Fresh Produce
Near Tampa, Florida, United States2412 N. Armenia Ave. Tampa FL 33607 813-516-7690 About 471 days ago, 6/14/19 Oviedo Farmers Market Near Oviedo, Florida, United States About 484 days ago, 6/01/19 lake County farmers market Near Forest City, Florida, United States About 507 days ago, 5/09/19 
Central Market Athens Greece
Nature Fresh Sa.
Near Athens, Attiki, Greece210-483-1874 About 511 days ago, 5/04/19 Sharer's comments : Fresh Nopales ! Oviedo Farmers Market Near Oviedo, Florida, United States About 512 days ago, 5/04/19 
Leucadia farmers market
Carranza Fruit Farm
Near Encinitas, California, United States13056 Mirat De Valle Valley Center CA 92082 760-749-6791 About 518 days ago, 4/28/19 Lake County farmers market Near Forest City, Florida, United States About 556 days ago, 3/21/19 
Carnival Supermarket
Carnival Supermarket
Near National City, California, United States1750 E 8th Street, National City, Ca, 91950 619-474-5444 www.carnivalmarket.com About 569 days ago, 3/08/19 Sharer's comments : Nopales (Cactus Leaf) spotted at Carnival Supermarket. Lake County farmers market Near Forest City, Florida, United States About 619 days ago, 1/17/19 
Fresco y Más
fresco y masc
Near Leisure City, Florida, United States14555 SW 42nd St About 620 days ago, 1/16/19 Sharer's comments : Nopales (Cactus Leaf) spotted at Fresco y Más. Oviedo farmers market Near Forest City, Florida, United States About 630 days ago, 1/06/19 Oviedo Farmers Market Near Oviedo, Florida, United States About 666 days ago, 12/01/18 Sanford Farmers Market Near Sanford, Florida, United States About 680 days ago, 11/17/18 Oviedo Farmers Market Near Oviedo, Florida, United States About 694 days ago, 11/03/18 Sanford Farmers Market Near Sanford, Florida, United States About 701 days ago, 10/27/18 Sanford Farmers Market Near Sanford, Florida, United States About 708 days ago, 10/20/18 Sanford Farmers Market Near Sanford, Florida, United States About 715 days ago, 10/13/18 Oviedo Farmers Market Near Oviedo, Florida, United States About 722 days ago, 10/06/18 |
