Wear gloves and use tongs or a towel to handle the nopales
Rinse the pads under cold water
Trim off the edges and any tough spots
Scrape off the spines and bumps with a knife or vegetable peeler
Cut the nopales into strips or cubes
Rinse again to remove any remaining sap or debris
Boil in salted water for 10 to 15 minutes
Drain well
Rinse with cold water
Pat dry
Sauté with onion, garlic, and oil if desired
Season with salt, pepper, and lime juice
Serve in tacos, salads, eggs, or as a side dish