Flex your food muscle

If there is one thing Tucson has a lot of, it's cactus. But the prickly vegetation isn't just for landscaping; many cacti are edible and make great sweet treats - and in Tucson, there is an abundance of cactus candy. More often than not, you will find prickly pear candy - from jelly squares to hard candy - and there is a variation to fit every taste.

Cactus candy has an interesting flavor but isn't really an acquired taste; most anyone can enjoy these morsels. And they're not hard to find. The UofA Bookstore offers a wide variety, as do many local Tucson retailers like Creative Venture Craft Mall and the Food Conspiracy Co-op on Fourth Avenue. You will also find desert desserts like sweet agave nectar at the 17th Street Market.

If you've got a sweet tooth, step outside the box of traditional candy and pick up some of the cactus persuasion today.