MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06
 
      Title: Cactus Fruit/Prickly Pear Gum Drops
 Categories: Candy, Foraged
      Yield: 1 Batch
 
    1/2 c  Ripe prickly pear cactus
           -fruit; peeled; pureed,
           -deseeded
  1 1/2 c  Plain unsweetened applesauce
      3 ts Powdered pectin; I used Sure
           -Jell
  2 1/2 c  Sugar; divided
           Sugar; for dusting each
           -gumdrop at the end
 
  Spray an 8x8" glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set it
  aside.
  
  In a large saucepan, combine the cactus fruit with the applesauce.
  
  Whisk the pectin and 1/2 c sugar together in a small bowl. Add to the
  cactus fruit.
  
  Bring your mixture to a boil and whisk in the remaining 2 c sugar.
  Bring back to a boil and stir constantly until your mixture reaches
  225°F; this took me less than 5 minutes.
  
  Remove from saucepan from the heat. Pour the hot mixture into your
  prepared glass dish. When slightly cool (about 1 hour), sprinkle
  sugar on top.
  
  Allow to set several hours (this is going to vary depended on your
  weather, humidity outside/inside. I recommend letting them dry at
  least 12 hours.)
  
  Once the candy is mostly set, enough to cut, cut your mixture into 1"
  squares, or use a mini cookie cutter sprayed with nonstick cooking
  spray to make hearts, flowers, whatever.
  
  Dredge in some sugar and allow to dry another 6+ hours or overnight
  on a piece of parchment paper. Store covered for up to two weeks.
  
  Recipe by Nicole Cook, dailydishrecipes.com
 
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