Candied Cactus

Carefully clean the Nopal cactus paddles: using a sharp knife or vegetable peeler, scrape off all the spines and any tough edges. Rinse the Nopal cactus paddles thoroughly under cold running water.

Dice the cleaned Nopal cactus paddles into 2-3 cm (about 1-inch) pieces.

Place the diced Nopal cactus paddles in a large pot and cover with fresh water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the Nopal cactus paddles are tender and most of their natural sliminess (baba) has dissipated. Drain the Nopal cactus paddles well and rinse them under cold water to remove any remaining baba.