Best 2 Dulces De Calabasas Mexican Pumpkin Candy Recipes

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DULCES DE CALABASAS (MEXICAN PUMPKIN CANDY)



Dulces De Calabasas (Mexican Pumpkin Candy) image

This is the stuff you get by the cash register at Mexican restaurants or in little Mexican grocery stores. It's been one of my favorites since I was, oh, 6 or 7 and got some at Olviera Street. I add the cinnamon and cloves because I like it spicy, but traditionally it's just pumpkin and sugar. Really labor-intensive, but so worth it! Do not use carving pumpkins, use sugar-pie or other cooking pumpkins (which the computer does not recognize.) Cook time is for unattended resting time.

Provided by ketchupqueen

Categories     Candy

Time 20h30m

Yield 20-30 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 lbs whole pumpkin (1-2 small, 1 qt. when chopped)
water
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
granulated sugar

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 53.6, Fat 0.1, Sodium 3.5, Carbohydrate 13.7, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 11.3, Protein 0.5

AUTHENTIC DULCE DE CALABAZA (MEXICAN PUMPKIN CANDY)



Authentic Dulce De Calabaza (Mexican Pumpkin Candy) image

This is the real candy you can find at the flea market or your grandma's house! Hard on the outside, sweet and juicy on the inside. I used about half of the sugar the recipe calls for and it was sweet enough--you can taste the freshness of the fruit in every bite! You may find the hydrated lime (or calcium hydroxide, or slaked lime) in specialty grocery stores (Mexican product is called Cal) or garden center.

Provided by Rubi5236

Categories     Candy

Time P1DT4h

Yield 60 wedges

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 large ripe pumpkin
hydrated lime (cal)
water
sugar

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.

Nutrition Facts :

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