Candied pecans are pecan halves or pieces that have been roasted and then coated in a caramelized sugar or syrup glaze, giving them a sweet, crunchy shell over a rich, buttery interior. Pecans are native to north-central Mexico and the southern United States, where Native American tribes long relied on them as a food source; Spanish colonists and Franciscan missionaries began cultivating pecan trees in northern Mexico in the late 1600s, and commercial pecan growing later took hold in the American South. Candied pecans are a common salad topping, a mix-in for pies, cakes, cookies, oatmeal, and yogurt, and a garnish for roasted vegetables, grain bowls, and some meat dishes. They pair well with tart fruits, citrus, soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese, warm spices, and other nuts.