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Kabak Tatlisi (Turkish Pumpkin Dessert)

Pumpkin dessert drizzled with tahini and garnished with chopped pistachios on a black plate.
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Here is a beloved Turkish dessert. It's made from soft pumpkin slices sweetened with sugar. You can enjoy it by itself or with creamy toppings for a cozy, comforting treat.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 pound / 450 g pumpkin
  • 1 cup sugar

Optional garnish:

  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • Pistachios or walnuts for garnish, optional

Instructions

Method 1: Stovetop Cooking

  1. Prepare the Pumpkin: Begin by cutting the pumpkin into wedges or cubes and peel them. Place the pumpkin pieces in a large pot.

  2. Add Sugar: Evenly distribute the sugar over the pumpkin slices. Cover the pot and allow them to rest for 5-6 hours. During this time, the pumpkin will release its natural juices.

  3. Start Cooking: Optionally, you can enhance the flavor by adding a cinnamon stick and a few cloves. Place the pot over medium heat and bring it to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to simmer. Cook the pumpkin slices until they become tender but not overly soft. As it simmers, the juice will transform into a syrupy consistency, generously coating the pumpkin. Ensure that all pumpkin slices are submerged in the syrup. Cooking times may vary, taking anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the pumpkin variety.

  4. Check for Doneness: After 20 minutes, test the pumpkin's tenderness with a fork. If it's sufficiently soft, remove it from the heat. If not, continue cooking until it reaches your desired level of tenderness.

  5. Cool and Serve: Allow the cooked dessert to cool completely in the pot before serving.

Method 2: Oven Baking

  1. Prepare the Pumpkin: Peel the pumpkin slices and arrange them in a baking pan. It's perfectly fine if some slices overlap.

  2. Add Sugar: Sprinkle sugar evenly over the pumpkin slices, ensuring that each piece receives a generous coating of sugar. Cover the baking pan with plastic wrap and let it sit for 5-6 hours. The sugar will encourage the pumpkin to release its natural juices.

  3. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it's ready for baking.

  4. Bake: Remove the plastic wrap. Optionally, you can introduce a cinnamon stick and a few cloves at this stage for extra flavor. Cover the baking pan with foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes, taking into account the variety and size of the pumpkin slices. After 30 minutes, check for tenderness—it should be soft.

  5. Cool Down: Allow the baked pumpkin dessert to cool completely before serving.

Notes

  1. Pumpkin Variety: The choice of pumpkin can significantly affect the taste and texture. Use balkabağı in Turkey for its exceptional sweetness and thicker flesh. Outside of Turkey, sugar pumpkins or pie pumpkins are suitable alternatives. 
  2. Garnishes: Get creative with garnishes. Experiment with toppings like chopped nuts or a drizzle of tahini or kaymak (Turkish clotted cream) to make the dessert even tastier.
  3. Serve at Your Preferred Temperature: This dessert can be enjoyed either chilled or at room temperature, depending on your preference. 
  4. Storage: Put the leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.  
  5. Make Ahead: Kabak Tatlısı can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This makes it a convenient dessert option for gatherings and special occasions.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.giverecipe.com/pumpkin-dessert/