appetizer

Desert Night Cactus Salad

Name: Desert Night Cactus Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 2 cups cactus paddles, cleaned and diced; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/2 cup red onion, diced; 1/4 cup lime juice; 2 tbsp olive oil; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/4 cup cilantro leaves

Drawing from the desert landscape where Simone searches for her daughter, this salad captures the essence of the arid terrain and the vibrant life within it.

Prep: 15 minutesCook: 0 minutesServes 8 servingsEasy

Ingredients

2 cups cactus paddles, cleaned and diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1/4 cup lime juice
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup cilantro leaves

Instructions

1
In a large bowl, combine cactus paddles, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
2
In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3
Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
4
Garnish with cilantro leaves before serving.

Serve this appetizer while discussing the book to spark conversations about the themes it connects to. Consider preparing it together as a group activity before your discussion begins!