A nopal is a cactus with wide, flat paddles called nopales ... The cacti also grow brightly colored flowers and develop fruits called prickly pears (or tunas in Spanish) that also have thorns.

Nopales, also known as prickly pear cactus pads, are vastly versatile, antioxidant-packed succulent plants. While these spiny cactus paddles are staples in Mexican cooking, their uses are endless ...