1 hour ago, heidih said:I see the Mexican workers cutting nopales from our hillsides. Never been close enough to ask what they do. I think they are slimy like okra and usually cooked before inclusion like the salad shown here https://www.mexicoinmykitchen.com/how-to-cook-cactus-paddles/
Oddly enough, tomatillo husks are used to get rid of the sliminess in nopales. It seems the tomatillo is way more interesting according to this blog post. Don't toss those husks.