Acitrón

The candied pad or paddle (leaf) of the prickly pear cactus that is sweetened by packing the pad in a sugar syrup solution. The prickly pear, also referred to as nopal, is native to warm climates where it produces an edible fruit as well as edible pads. The pads are called nopales and when fresh or cooked, they provide a somewhat sour green bean flavor that can be served as a vegetable dish or as a complement to other food dishes such as soups, salads, and egg dishes. The Acitrón is a sweetened version that is served for snacks, desserts or after dinner appetizers.