Desert Bloom Cactus Taco (Printable version)

Southwestern-inspired cactus and roasted vegetable board with zesty salsas and fresh garnishes for sharing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cactus & Vegetable Fillings

01 - 2 cups nopales (cactus paddles), cleaned and sliced
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
06 - 1 red onion, sliced
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Tortillas

11 - 12 small corn or flour tortillas

→ Salsas & Sauces

12 - 1/2 cup fresh pico de gallo
13 - 1/2 cup roasted corn salsa
14 - 1/3 cup chipotle crema (sour cream mixed with chipotle in adobo)
15 - 1/3 cup guacamole

→ Toppings & Garnishes

16 - 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta
17 - 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
18 - 1/4 cup thinly sliced radishes
19 - 1/4 cup pickled red onions
20 - 2 limes, cut into wedges

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
02 - Arrange nopales, bell peppers, red onion, and cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt, then toss to coat evenly.
03 - Roast the vegetables for 18 to 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until tender with slight charring.
04 - While vegetables roast, warm black beans in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground cumin and smoked paprika, stirring for about 5 minutes until heated through.
05 - Heat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave until pliable and warm.
06 - Place salsas, sauces, toppings, and garnishes in small bowls or arrange directly on a large serving board.
07 - Arrange roasted vegetables, nopales, seasoned black beans, and warm tortillas on the serving board.
08 - Invite guests to assemble their own tacos, selecting salsas, sauces, toppings, and garnishes to their preference.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Perfect for sharing
  • Vegetarian and gluten-free options
02 -
  • This recipe is vegetarian but can be customized with shrimp or chicken.
  • Use corn tortillas to keep it gluten-free.
03 -
  • Make sure to clean the nopales thoroughly to remove any sliminess.
  • Roast vegetables until slightly charred for enhanced flavor.
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