Cactus fries are prepared from
nopales, the young segments or "paddles" of the
prickly pear cactus. Before consumption, the needles and "eyes" are removed from the nopales, typically by scrubbing and rinsing them off, cutting them out or burning them. Store-bought nopales typically have most of their needles removed prior to sale. Other variations use cactus that has been coated in seasoned breadcrumbs or cracker crumbs. The cactus is coated with
mucilage Cactus fries have a crunchy exterior and a silky interior, which has been compared to that of
fried okra and
onion rings. The flavor of the cactus itself has been compared to
asparagus or
bell peppers. They are frequently served with a dipping sauce, such as
salsa, ranch dressing, or spicy
ketchup. ==See also==