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Sweet pumpkin dessert Turkish style

8/11/2015

24 Comments

 
Sweet pumpkin dessert in the Turkish style by Liz Posmyk
'So these are apricots?' Peter asked, taking a bite of my latest dessert offering. 'No, it's pumpkin,' I replied. His eyes widened. 'Pumpkin? Really?!' he responded. 'You would never know pumpkin could taste this good in a dessert.'

Long time readers of this little blog will be aware that I adore unusual sweets and desserts, so this recipe for Kabak Tatlisi in Deniz Göktürk Akçakanat's Turkish Bakery Delight captured my attention. Research indicates that some traditional recipes for Kabak Tatlisi or candied pumpkin suggest that the sugar is sprinkled over the pumpkin and then the vegetable is left in the refrigerator overnight, before being baked until the syrup is absorbed. This recipe is somewhat quicker, but the results are deliciously good. I have adapted the original recipe, adding vanilla and cinnamon. I also used less sugar than recommended. If you like a sweeter dish, you could use, say, 3/4 of a cup, perhaps more. 

SWEET PUMPKIN DESSERT TURKISH STYLE
385g Jap pumpkin, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon ground vanilla or vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
75g walnuts, lightly toasted, chopped, to decorate
clotted cream or vanilla ice cream, to serve

Preheat your oven to 190 degrees C. In an ovenproof dish, combine the pumpkin pieces with the sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Stir to combine. Bake the pumpkin for about one hour, perhaps a little longer, until the sugar has dissolved and the pumpkin is starting to caramelise. 

Remove the dish from the oven and allow the pumpkin to cool, then pop the dish into the refrigerator for a few hours, or overnight. Sprinkle with the walnuts, then serve with a dollop of clotted cream or vanilla ice cream. Serves 2-3. 
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Tell me dear readers, do you enjoy unusual sweets? What is the most unusual dessert you have ever cooked or eaten? Do please tell. 
24 Comments
Gourmet Getaways link
8/11/2015 06:03:31 am

oOh Lizzy, this looks fabulous. What a great idea for pumpkin!
Thanks for sharing
Julie
Gourmet Getaways

Reply
Lizzy
10/11/2015 09:24:36 pm

Thanks Julie, it is rather delish!

Reply
Amanda link
8/11/2015 07:12:13 am

What an unusual dessert idea - but, delicious. I love pumpkin.

Reply
Lizzy
10/11/2015 09:24:51 pm

Me too, Amanda. I reckon you might enjoy this!

Reply
Glenda link
8/11/2015 08:45:58 am

Hi Liz, I have that book, alas not with me, I will check out the recipe. It is very interesting. I have just put 14 pumpkins in the coolroom with the hope of them lasting over the summer so this may be a good use for one. I have also have a recipe for candied pumpkin that I have been toying with. What fun.

Reply
Lizzy
10/11/2015 09:25:06 pm

Oh yum, Glenda... one for you, methinks.

Reply
Zsuzsa link
8/11/2015 10:39:08 am

I wondered about using pumpkin for dessert before. There is the pumpkin pie, the pumpkin bread and the pumpkin muffin. The thought occurred if it could be candied? I didn't make any candied fruit this summer, but I can get a pumpkin, maybe I should try candy pumpkin. It would be ready for Christmas. There you go Lizzy, you inspired me!

Reply
Lizzy
10/11/2015 09:25:27 pm

I'm so glad, Zsuzsa! Have you tried my pumpkin strudel, darling?

Reply
Brian Tam Food link
8/11/2015 05:24:39 pm

I was thinking along the same lines as Zsuzsa above - this would be a great pumpkin pie alternative for Thanksgiving or Christmas if you were looking to do something a little different.

Reply
Lizzy
10/11/2015 09:25:41 pm

Very much so, Brian. Thanks for stopping by!

Reply
Hotly Spiced link
8/11/2015 08:52:11 pm

I love your platter, Lizzy, it's so pretty. I've never had a sweet pumpkin dessert! (Except for when my mother made pumpkin pie). I would like to try this xx

Reply
Lizzy
10/11/2015 09:26:01 pm

Thanks Charlie, I love that bowl too. Would you believe it cost me 50 cents?!

Reply
e / dig in hobart link
8/11/2015 11:05:58 pm

wow, how unusual. then again, there is pumpkin pie, isn't there. delicious ingredients.

Reply
Lizzy
10/11/2015 09:26:16 pm

True, true. Elizabeth.

Reply
David link
9/11/2015 08:02:58 am

This does sound really unusual and very good. I have to research what a Jap pumpkin is - perhaps it is a variety we have here and I just didn't know that was its name! Lots of pumpkins in the market yesterday, so this should be on the table soon!

Reply
Lizzy
10/11/2015 09:26:37 pm

Hi David... it's the striped version... dark brown skin with orange stripes.

Reply
John/Kitchen RIffs link
9/11/2015 06:28:40 pm

Really interesting dish! I love pumpkin in pies, but never had it in a dessert like this. Great find -- thanks.

Reply
Lizzy
10/11/2015 09:26:48 pm

Thanks John!

Reply
Tandy | Lavender and Lime link
10/11/2015 12:50:26 am

I would certainly give this a try, but there is no ways I could get Dave to take one bite :)

Reply
Lizzy
10/11/2015 09:26:59 pm

: ( Tandy.

Reply
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella link
11/11/2015 01:58:17 am

This looks good. We are big fans of pumpkin in dessert! I've made two pumpkin desserts so far this month :)

Reply
Bea link
12/11/2015 03:38:31 am

This is how I have eaten pumpkin all my life. I love it, only we always put pecans on it I don't like walnuts at all. Great recipe, it's even better hot! I just love it period. My Mother was born and raised in Kentucky though. Have a sweet day! I think the strangest dessert I ever ate had to be SauerKraut Cupcakes!! They are good actually. You use sauerkraut and applesauce instead of sugar and butter!!

Reply
kellie@foodtoglow link
13/11/2015 07:46:37 am

This sounds a very attractive way to enjoy pumpkin - and it make s change from the usual sweet offerings in pie form. Lovely stuff, Liz :-)

Reply
Maureen link
17/11/2015 07:41:09 pm

I've had pumpkin pie by the truckload but Turkish style pumpkin dessert? never. I'm really looking forward to giving this a try. It looks wonderful!

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