The nopales They are one of the basic foods of Mexican cuisine and they are not only perfect to be enjoyed in delicious homemade stews, but they can also be used even in those healthy drinks such as a good juice or nopal smoothie, called the famous green juices. , since in this type of preparations it is the best way to take advantage of its benefits.
However, the heat of the environment or even the cold of the refrigerator are some of the elements that can help accelerate the oxidation process of the nopalesLike apples, this green food tends to turn brown if not cooked immediately to the point of dryness or worse; spoil.
Fortunately there are some tricks that you can implement at home and that They will help you keep the nopales in good condition when there are no plans to cook them immediately, so they can last longer in the best conditions once you buy them from the market for future preparations. Pay attention to these tips!
How to preserve nopales?
The nopales They are part of the large group of foods vulnerable to heat or being exposed to low temperatures once they are cut from their origin, both climates are not good for them, but with these 5 tricks you can keep them better.
conserve spines
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) suggests in a report entitled “Ecology of cultivation, management and uses of nopal”, that the removal of bones is carried out the day they are going to be consumed to avoid rapid oxidation in the food. So if you have the opportunity to acquire them with thorns for future preparations, they can be kept longer.
do not remove the slime
Some people usually remove the slime they contain with some home remedy, but this feature allows them to stay hydrated, you should not remove it unless you want to cook them at the right time.
Whole or cut?
Keep the nopales It can be in whole pieces or cut, just keep in mind that chopping them into small strips or cubes can last even less than keeping them whole.
best way to store them
The FAO indicates that it is necessary to avoid exposure of nopales at temperatures below 5°C, this can have drastic effects on the product, such as stains or dark coloration on the shell that could damage its structure. If you want to refrigerate them, they should be placed in a container or mold with an airtight lid to keep them fresh.
Other ways to keep them
You can keep them out of the refrigerator in a cool and dry place so that they continue to be kept longer at the right temperatures, remember not too cold but not in a hot environment either. Never store them in fully closed plastic bags.
With these 5 kitchen hacks you can keep in good condition the nopales and that these pieces are ready to turn them into delicious homemade stews or drinks, because they will be in the best conditions. Remember that like all fruit or vegetables are drunk, some measures must be taken in this regard in order to preserve their characteristics and structure in the best way.
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