Nopales and Diabetes: How does it help?
Grilled Cactus - Nopales Asados are a quick option for a meatless meal, top with a fresh Pico de gallo Salsa and your dinner is ready in minutes.
Studies have been done for years about the benefits of Nopales but must of them are published in Spanish. Still, there needs to be more done to have effective scientific evidence of its long-term effect.
Grilled Cactus-Nopales | Nopales Asados a la Plancha
In México it’s a popular belief that if you drink a Nopal-fruit juice drink first thing in the morning you will lower your glucose levels. Of course, the industry has taken advantage of this alternative to sell powders, bottled drinks, and pills since the people have not to doubt about its benefits and that it actually works for them. Nopales are also rich in calcium and high in fiber.
This is a cooking blog, I know that, but from time to time I receive emails from people asking me about other ways to cook nopales because they are eating them for medicinal reasons to lower their glucose levels. Like the email, I received from Maria C., where she says that a lovely old lady told her to eat grilled nopales first thing in the morning when she was told by her doctor that she had diabetes type 2. That was 5 years ago and she is doing great now. Thank you, Maria, for sharing your story with me.
It is not my intention to entertain you with all the details about the medical benefits of this cactus plant, but If you would like to learn more about the Nopales and diabetes studies, here is a series of links to research made by several Universities and well renowned Medical Institutions. They are in Spanish, please use your online translator.
Universidad Nacional de México, Mexican Institute of Health, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Universidad de Querétaro, Hospital IMSS de la Raza.
If you have never eaten nopales before, try adding them to stews like any other vegetable, made them with scrambled eggs for breakfast, stuffed with cheese and then covered with an egg batter and fry, they have a mild flavor that you will get used to enjoying it. Like this simple recipe that can also be prepared when grilling outside with your barbecue grill along with your steak as we do in some states in México. One nopal will be just enough for one person.
How to make Nopales Asados a la Plancha
Instructions:
1. Warm your griddle or cast iron grill. Brush the oil on each side of the nopal.
2. Place the nopalitos on your griddle and cook over medium heat turning until tender, about 8 minutes.
3. If using a cast iron grill cook until marked and tender. Just before serving top with the slice of cheese to melt. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve with a fresh salsa and warm tortillas. A healthy, low-calorie dinner or lunch.
Enjoy!
Other recipes with Nopales: How to cook Nopales, Nopales with Eggs, Cactus Salad, and Nopales with Chorizo.
¡Buen provecho!
Mely,
Grilled Cactus Nopales
Ingredients
- 2 medium size nopales needles removed
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 slices of you favorite melting cheese optional
Instructions
- Warm your griddle or cast iron pan Brush the oil on each side of the nopal.
- Place the nopales on your griddle and cook over medium-heat turning until tender, about 8 minutes.
- If using a cast iron grill cook until marked and tender. Just before serving top with the slice of cheese to melt. Season with salt and pepper.
Robert Morrow
We live in south/eastern New Mexico and have Nopales grow in are yard. The are good like the Recipes, but also the fruit is great too. Taught some cooking classes for a non-profit people and taught how to prepare and cook Nopales.
Mely Martínez
Hello Robert,
That is so good that you are sharing about Nopales. They are so versatile, we always have them handy in our kitchen.
Gene Ware
Really enjoy your posts and recipes. The few I’ve made have been delicious. Do you have tips for cooking nopales, especially whole paddles, to minimize the “goo”?
mmartinez
Hello Gene,
Please check the following link in how to cook Nopales. http://bit.ly/2YiY48y
Latricia Constantino
Hi I am looking for recipes to make nopales for a side or along with a main dish. I love trying new things! I have only had them with pico and I would live to learn different ways of making them please! Thank you!
Mamcita3b1g
Mely,
Can you tell me where to get these?
~Angelina 🙂
Mely
Hello Angelina,
If you do not have a Latin Store close to where you live, you can buy them online fresh. Look for Cactus Leaves.
Elizabeth Diaz
Mely,
That is exactly how we eat Nopales in my family. My parents are from Zacatecas y somos muy nopaleros! Have you tried raw Nopales picados in pico de gallo with lime juice drizzled on top? It's absolutely delicious and refreshing. I love making them cuando asamos carne! Yum!
Lisa Diaz
Mely
Hello Elizabeth,
I heard about the raw nopales pico de gallo. I will have to try it.
Thanks for the tip.
Mely