GRILLED CACTUS PADDLES

By BobD

Ingredients

• 12 SERVINGS
• Cactus paddles (nopales or nopalitos) are an important vegetable in Mexico-Their flavor reminiscent of green beans but with a hint of acidity.
• 12 cactus paddles (nopales or nopalitos)
• 2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Details

Servings 12
Adapted from gourmet.com

Preparation

Step 1

Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas)

Meanwhile, hold each cactus paddle by the stem with a kitchen towel and scrape off any thorns with a sharp knife. Rinse and dry paddles.

Brush paddles with oil and grill in 2 batches, covered only if using a gas grill, turning occasionally, until softened and lightly charred, 3 to 6 minutes.

Trim off about 1 inch of hard stems from 8 paddles, then cut paddles crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide strips and season with salt (preferably coarse).

Make 5 lengthwise cuts in each whole paddle, almost to stem, so paddles resemble hands.