Trimming Nopales
Fresh nopales (cactus paddles) have a green bean-like taste and crisp texture. They are infinitely superior to the canned product. Choose firm, medium-sized paddles. Handle paddles carefully; the spines are sharp and must be removed before cooking.
To trim nopales, use a paring knife to trim the perimeter and the base. Then slice or scrape off the spines on one side; turn and repeat on the other side. Tip: Like okra, nopales release a slippery substance when cooked. To minimize the slime, boil nopales with tomatillo husks.