After Mom and I ate our toast, jelly and tea, we went outside and decided to try and saute/fry up some prickly pear pad. I took about a 7 inch long pad off my plant out front, washed it, and put a little olive oil in the skillet. I cut the pad shortways to look about the size of green beans. As soon as the heat hit it, it became slimy like okra would, so we threw some corn meal on it, and salt and pepper. We didn't want to mask the flavor too much. It had a tartness to it, and we decided it might be OK if we did a full batter on it with egg wash, and seasoned corn meal and then a real frying to crispy stage. It was a fun experiment. I think it would be good to throw some chopped pads in a stew or soup. They are supposed to be very good for you, so I may just keep this in mind when I make these things!
After all this, we went over to the college where the huge spineless cactus lives, and we got a few leaves off the bottom and brought them home to plant. This is supposed to regulate (lower) blood sugars in diabetics. I believe it would also help with lowering high blood pressure and in weight loss too. My Mom is planning to add fresh pad into her green shakes each morning for health. She already adds fresh aloe from her yard. She is a health nut...unlike her daughter (me...LOL)!!!
Have a wonderful day everybody!
Wow, I would love to try prickly pear. I've seen it cooked on TV (now on yr blog) but I have not come across it anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteThat jelly got you inspired to cook didn't it.
ReplyDeleteglad you liked the jelly...
ReplyDeletewe usually add diced nopales to scrambled eggs, but I have seen them breaded and fried like okra too...
I'm with you, Julie. Love that butter and crispy coatings on fried things! Of course, it's catching up with me. Spring fever must be sending the cats into a frenzy. It's funny you said that about your cat. Ours demanded to go out last night and hasn't returned yet. Maybe she's ticked at me. I scolded her yesterday for digging up some zinnias I planted last week. Claude is a great guy to part with some of that lovely jelly.
ReplyDeleteOkay, the toast and butter looks great (but deadly!) and I'd leave off the jelly. Diet Coke?? Julie, what can I say? ;P
ReplyDeleteThe PP pads sauteed??? I don't think so! You're brave.
And you crack me up!
Yum yum. Now I am hungry again. The jelly looks amazing!!
ReplyDeleteA few years I went to a lecture where she cooked with the pads and we got to taste them-really good. I should try to find the recipe she gave us for salsa.
ReplyDeleteoh heavens we draw the things, you actually eat them, my mouth is hanging open, not from appetite but from amazement.
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI'm on a low carb diet. (Read that "no bread diet.") You have no earthly idea how yummy that toast with jam looks to me. Mmmmmmm.......... jan
ReplyDeleteHow interesting....have never eaten prickly pear but it looks appetising. Diet drinks are not good for you, my dear...can't even begin to imagine having it with a breakfast. ;)
ReplyDeletePrickly pear is tasty stuff. The pads called "Nopales" here are a very commonly eaten food. They say its good for diabetes.
ReplyDelete