Story by Desiree Rosales, Summer 2019
As a child, I never knew where the nopal came from, whether it came from a plant outside or the local market. The nopal, a type of cactus, is a plant that at times can be intimidating to those not familiar with it. From the green and spiky outer layer, to the slimy, juicy center. Every part of the nopal has a use, this is part of what makes it such a versatile plant. From being used in multiple Mexican cuisines, one of which makes the most delicious “nopalitos.” The nopal has played a large part in my life. Growing up in a Mexican household, my mom would make the tastiest Mexican dishes that would occasionally include nopal. When preparing the nopal to cook, you must be sure to remove any spikes on the outer layer, almost as if you are peeling away all the “bad” parts of it. Whenever I indulge on nopal, it is usually diced up into small pieces, cooked, and then served as a side dish with a main dish like carne con chile. Smelling the aroma of the nopal being cooked from the kitchen is one of my favorite childhood memories. Whenever I shared a dinner with my family and the nopal was a dish, it brought my family together in a way that made me feel closer than ever to them.
The knowledge that my family has of the nopal was carried by grandma as she migrated to the United States of America Another vital use of the nopal is the medicinal properties it offers. Whenever I injured myself with a cut or scrape my grandma would “cure” me with the healing powers of the juice of the nopal. I always envisioned the nopal as something greater than a plant. The nopal had a way of comforting me and creating a bond within my family that still continues to this day.The various uses of the nopal has been around my family for generations. It is something that was passed down from my great grandma, to my grandma, to my mom, and eventually something I will pass down to my children, then grandchildren. The life cycle of the nopal is never endless and grows with every generation.