Nopales Asados a la Plancha

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!

GRILLED CACTUS NOPALES

Mely Martínez - Mexico in my Kitchen

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.

4 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

0 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Course Basic Recipes

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 2

Calories 64 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 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.

Serve with a fresh salsa and warm tortillas. A healthy, low-calorie dinner or lunch.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Grilled NopalCalories: 64kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 125mgPotassium: 4mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 13IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Other recipes with Nopales: How to cook Nopales, Nopales with Eggs, Cactus Salad, and Nopales with Chorizo.

¡Buen provecho!
Mely,