Nopalitos Navegantes

Nopalitos Navegantes

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Nopalitos Navegantes
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You and I would find it rather hard to come up with a healthier, more nutritionally complete soup than this one. Nopalitos Navegantes (Sailing Nopalitos) packs plenty of protein and fiber in just one bowl. It is also savory and filling. And last, but not least, it is quick and easy to make.

The introduction of Nopales, also known as Prickly Pears or Cactus Paddles, to the USA has been somewhat slow. That is, if you compare it to other countries. Take Japan, for example. They have been importing massive amounts of Nopales from Mexico, mostly because of their health benefits, namely their blood sugar control properties.

If you live in the Southern portion of the USA, you might find fresh Cactus Paddles in a Mexican or Latin American market. If that’s the case, buy them, wash them under tap water and get rid of any remaining thorns. Julienne them and boil them with some salt until they change color to a pale green. Otherwise, do as I do: use Nopales from a jar. Different brands commercialize them. The nopalitos are julienned, cooked, lightly seasoned, brined and then bottled. The label should read “Tender Cactus”. You can find the bottled Nopalitos in your local grocery store, in the Mexican/Latino/International aisle.

We have discussed before the multiple health benefits of Nopalitos. Here’s a brief recap, in case you missed that post or you don’t remember it. Nopalitos help lower blood sugar, heal wounds, reduce cholesterol. Not only that, but they are rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, that boost immune activity. They will also contribute a lot of nutritional fiber to your diet, while they protect the liver and help control diabetes, as well. You can read more about that here. Reap all these benefits today with our Nopalitos Navegantes recipe.

Already know everything there is to know about Nopalitos? Then eat more of them with this other recipe: Very Healthy Nopalitos Salad. It’s vegetarian, tasty and filling! If you want to cut down on calories and/or eat tacos without the guilt, you will love our Healthy Nopalitos Salad.

Nopalitos Navegantes

Yazzy
Print Recipe
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 5 units Roma Tomatoes ripe
  • 2 units Guajillo chilies seeded and soaked in very hot water for 10 minutes.
  • 1 quarter red or white onion wedge peeled
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 cubes chicken bouillon
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 units large eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups bottled, julienned nopalitos drained
  • For garnish:
  • 1/2 cup queso fresco, and/or cubed
  • fresh parsley chopped

Instructions
 

  • In the blender process the first six ingredients until smooth.
  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over low-medium heat. Pour the blended tomato mix into pot once oil is hot, passing it through a strainer. Discard solids. Cook until tomato mix simmers and the lighter red froth is gone. Turn down heat. Add the eggs, one by one and keep cooking until eggs have changed color and are cooked.
  • Add the nopalitos, mix well and cook for 5 more minutes.
  • Serve in 4 individual bowls, one egg each. Garnish with the cubed cheese and/or chopped parsley. Enjoy with soft corn tortillas.

Notes

Nopalitos are usually bottled with a Serrano chile. Remove it if you have low tolerance for chilies.
If you don’t have any Roma tomatoes handy, canned tomatoes will do just fine. Use one can of diced tomatoes instead of the Roma tomatoes. You can add 1 or 2 TBSP of tomato paste for additional color and flavor, if you so desire.

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