Saveur

Photo: Ben Fink

Spiny hairlike thorns protect the succulent paddles of the prickly pear cactus and must be removed before the paddles are used for Romeritos With Shrimp Cakes and other dishes. Place paddle flat on a work surface, hold base with a kitchen towel, and shave off thorny bumps on each side with a sharp knife.

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #55