The fruit and pads of the prickly pear cactus, or nopal, have been available in American markets for some time, and have become familiar to aficionados of Mexican food. In recent years another cactus fruit has begun to make its way north as well. Called Xoconostle after the place of its origin, the fruit is somewhat easier to handle than the prickly pear because the seeds are gathered in a single group in the middle of the pale-yellow flesh. The flavor of the fruit is strongly acidic and refreshing, and it is used in many ways.
Chew dried, salted strips of Xoconostle as a snack food, or enjoy them as an accompaniment to Margaritas or shots of tequila.
Seek out Xoconostle paste, a New World equivalent to Spain's famous quince paste known as membrillo. Serve it in the same way, with Manchego or a similarly mild, nutty cheese.
Eat sweetened Xoconostle leather, like any other leather, as a healthy fruit snack.
Char the Xoconostle on a grill or in a cast-iron skillet, then peel and seed them. Puree the fruit with roasted garlic and roasted guajillo chilies, to make a tart salsa. Season lighty with salt until the flavors are balanced.
Roast tomatillos, Xoconostle, jalapenos, garlic and onions. Peel the tomatillos, and peel and seed the Xoconostle. Mash everything coarsely in a molcajete, or pulse it to a coarse texture in a food processor, to make a fresh-tasting salsa.
Simmer strips or chunks of Xoconostle fruit in light sugar syrup, and use them as a tart foil for rich foods such as duck breast or foie gras.
Stew chunks of Xoconostle with pork and vegetables to make a traditional stew called mole de olla, or "mole in a pot."