You should eat Nopalitos. They are diced prickly pear pads that have been "shaved" of the spiny stickers with a sharp knife. Boil and/or saute SLOWLY with a little onion. They are good tossed in burritos/tacos or by themselves wrapped in a tortilla with salsa. Also good scrambled with eggs. Cooked, they have the same texture as okra.
You can also buy them in the Mexican food aisle in a jar. I think there are researchers studying the "slime" for its diabetes fighting properties.
Thanks. I'll look for 'em