Preheat oven to 425°F.

Grease and flour an 8" square baking pan.

Bring water to boil.

Add baking soda to the boiling water.

Briefly cook diced nopalitos in boiling water with baking soda until they turn from bright to dull green.

Drain the nopalitos well and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine yellow cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg and milk together.

Add the egg and milk mixture to the dry ingredients and combine well.

Add melted butter (or dripping) and mix well.

Gently fold in the corn kernels and pre-cooked nopalitos.

Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and a wooden pick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes.