Pozole Verde de Nopales y Calabacitas (Cactus and Courgette Pozole)
A fresh green pozole with tender cactus paddles, courgette and hominy, finished with lime and plenty of coriander.
Made with Pozole verde base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time35 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £5.29 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Pour your ready made pozole verde base (see the base recipe) into a large pot and bring to a gentle simmer.
- 2
Add the hominy and nopalitos and simmer for 12 minutes.
12 min - 3
Add the courgettes and simmer for 5 minutes, until just tender.
5 min - 4
Season with salt, oregano and a squeeze of lime.
- 5
Serve with the cabbage, radish, avocado and lime wedges.
Tips
- Rinse jarred nopalitos well to remove the brine and any slime.
- If you cannot find nopalitos, use green beans or chayote instead.
- The ready made base is made with chicken stock, so this is not vegetarian.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in the fridge for 3 days. Freeze for up to 2 months without the avocado and reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What do nopales taste like?
They taste fresh and slightly tart, a bit like green beans or okra, with a soft bite.
Where do I buy nopalitos?
Look for jars in Mexican food shops and online. Some larger supermarkets stock them in the world foods aisle.
Is this vegetarian?
No. The pozole verde base uses chicken stock, so this soup is not vegetarian or vegan.
More made with pozole verde base
Pozole Verde de Cerdo Estilo Guerrero (Guerrero Style Green Pork Pozole)
GFDFEFPescado en Salsa Verde (Fish in Green Sauce)
GFDFEFPollo en Salsa Verde con Papas (Chicken and Potatoes in Green Sauce)
DFEFNFEnchiladas de Pipian Verde con Pollo (Green Pumpkin Seed Chicken Enchiladas)
NFEFHPDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.