A turtle, in this context, refers to a type of confection. It typically consists of caramel or nougat, often with pecans or other nuts, and is coated in chocolate. The shape of the confection is said to resemble a turtle, hence the name.
Note: The provided meaning of the answer is for the latest New York Times crossword puzzle clue: Chocolate-and-pecan confection. Explanations are generated by AI and may be inaccurate.