Dulce De Calabaza Cristalizada Recipes

DULCE DE ZAPALLO OR CANDIED SQUASH IN SPICED SYRUP

Steps:

• Wash the squash well, slice it open and remove all the seeds and membranes.
• Cut the squash into medium sized pieces and place them in a large pot with the chunks of panela and spices.
• Add the water and bring to a boil over medium heat, boil for about 30 minutes with the lid on.
• Uncover and simmer for about 1 hour or until the syrup thickens.
• Remove from heat.
• Can be served warm or room temperature with a slice of fresh cheese. Can also be used as a filling for empanadas and tarts or pies.

AUTHENTIC DULCE DE CALABAZA (MEXICAN PUMPKIN CANDY)

Steps:

• Cut pumpkin into uniform wedges or slices. Peel and cut pieces of desired size.
• Soak overnight in lime water to cover. (Use 1 tablespoon lime to each quart of water. Stir lime water well before pouring over pumpkin.).
• Remove pumpkin from lime water and wash thoroughly 3 or more times in clear water.
• Cover pumpkin with warm water and bring slowly to boiling point. Boil for 5 minutes.
• Drain and wash twice in clear cold water. Drain for an hour.
• Pierce each piece in several places with a fork so that sugar syrup can be absorbed.
• Weigh pumpkin and use equal amount of sugar. Cover pumpkin with sugar, moisten with water and bake at 300 degrees until pumpkin is crystalized, about 3 hours.
• Drain and place pumpkin on wax paper to dry.
• Will keep refrigerated about a week but you should double bag leftovers and freeze for later.

DULCES DE CALABASAS (MEXICAN PUMPKIN CANDY)

Steps:

• Cut pumpkin in half, remove seeds and as much of the "stringy stuff" as you can, and chop into pieces approximately 1-1.5 inches by 1.5-2.5 inches.
• Slice off skin, taking off as little flesh as you can.
• Measure to make sure you have approximately one quart of pumpkin pieces (either pack well into a measuring cup or fill a calibrated 1/2 gallon or 1 gallon measure to the quart line and drop in pieces until water hits the 1/2 gallon line, then drain water.).
• Put in a fairly heavy saucepan and cover with water.
• Cover, bring to a boil, and boil for 15-20 minutes.
• Drain, but save water, and place pumpkin back in pan.
• Measure water to make sure you have about 1 1/2 cups.
• Stir in packed brown sugar until smooth. Add cloves and/or cinnamon at this point, if desired.
• Pour the sugar/water syrup over the pumpkin, cover, return to a boil, and boil another 15 minutes.
• Turn off heat and let sit overnight (at least 8 hours.) This is how the pumpkin soaks up the syrup and "candies".
• In the morning (or after the 8-10 hours), return to a boil, and boil an additional 5 minutes.
• Remove from syrup with a slotted spoon and place on a tray or cookie sheet lined with waxed paper.
• Allow to dry at least 10-12 hours in a place where it will not be disturbed (if you're not going to be using the oven and haven't had it on recently, the cold oven is a great place to keep it safe.).
• Roll in granulated sugar and enjoy! Place in air-tight container to store up to two weeks.