You can boil the Nopales or cactus leaves,  grill them, fry them, or even steam the flat pads. Once cooked, add them to scrambled eggs, put them into burritos, quesadillas, tamales, or gorditas. Grilling Nopales brings out their natural sweetness and makes an excellent side vegetable to any meal. A popular way to eat cactus in Mexican cuisine is by making a cactus salad. You can use whole cactus leaves, or for your convenience, buy a bag with pre-cut strips. Boil the leaves for about 15 minutes until they become tender, and then drain them. Once cooled, add them to a salad bowl with diced tomatoes, chopped green onion, a handful of cilantro, a squeeze of lime juice, and a pinch of salt and Mexican oregano. Top the salad with crumbled Queso Anejo, Cotija, or feta cheese.