The first time I had Salsa Nopalitos was on Taquitos at Olvera Street in Los Angeles. I think I was maybe 10. The second place I found it was the state of Sonora in Mexico. After that I found it in many places in Mexico but it seems most common in Sonora. Read more . That makes sense; Sonora is 97% desert; great cactus country. There is this beautiful fishing village on the Gulf of Mexico in Sonora called El Desemboque where cactus plants grow right down to the beach. There I saw salsa nopalitos made from scratch, cactus to table. If you call ahead you can reserve one of the eight rooms at the Playa Dorada Hotel; nice, clean and good food: A great place to recharge your batteries. Most of you will get nopalitos in a jar, already cooked but if you harvest the pads from a prickly pear cactus just peel them, cut the meat into strips and boil it until tender, changing the water at least once, then follow the recipe below. This is a great salsa that can be used on almost any Mexican dish that calls for salsa. I love this on taquitos, tacos and tostados. If you want it spicy, add some salsa picante. Enjoy. RJ