Candied Cactus Recipes

CANDIED CACTUS

Steps:

• Clean off any spines and glochids (the little hairy spines) from your cactus paddles; peel green skin and cube into 1 x 1/2 inch pieces.
• Soak overnight in cold water.
• Drain very well.
• Make a syrup of sugar, water and fruit juices; add cactus and cook until syrup is nearly all absorbed, taking caution not to scorch.
• May be tinted with food coloring if desired.

CACTUS CANDY

Steps:

• Select prickly pear cactus. Remove spines and outside layer(skin) with large knife(this can be bought already spined in stores).I found this at Walmart!. Cut pulp across in slices one-inch thick.
• Soak overnight in cold water. Remove from water, cut in 1" cubes and cook in boiling water til tender. Drain.
• Heat the sugar and water until sugar is dissolved. Then add cactus. Cook slowly in the syrup until nearly all the syrup is absorbed. Do not scorch! Remove cactus from syrup, drain and roll in granulated or powdered sugar. For colored cactus candy, any vegetable food coloring may be added to the syrup.

CANDIED SPICED NUTS

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a medium size heavy skillet. Heat over medium-high heat to boiling.
• Cook, stirring constantly, until all of the liquid is evaporated and nuts are coated and sugary (approximately 5 minutes).
• Transfer to a non-stick baking sheet; break nuts apart while still warm. Let cool.