(ABQ) and Farmington, N.M. (FMN) . Durango/Purgatory is located in the Southwest corner of Colorado, near the intersection of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. It's six to seven hours by car from DIA, a 340 mile drive via US-285, and three and a half to four and a half hours and 214 miles from ABQ using NM-44 and US-550.
In addition to its popular use for hangovers, prickly pear remedies have been used traditionally in Mexico for a wide variety of disorders. The heated cactus pads have served as poultices for rheumatism, and the fruit of the plant is consumed as treatment for diarrhea, asthma and gonorrhea.
This syrup is made by simmering boiled, mashed, and strained prickly pear fruit in sugar. Lemon is added for tartness. Use this syrup on pancakes, on top of other fruit, or in any dessert recipe that calls for syrup. When you look for prickly pears, remember that mature ones are a darker green, or blackish purple. Ripe fruits tend to be redder at the base.