Candied Pumpkin Delights
Candied Pumpkin Delights are a delightful treat that captures the essence of traditional Mexican sweets. Often found in local markets or at the registers of cozy Mexican restaurants, these treats are a nostalgic reminder of childhood and family gatherings. Made from sugar-pie or cooking pumpkins, these candies are slow-cooked in a rich syrup infused with warm spices like cinnamon and cloves. The result is a tender, sweet, and slightly spiced pumpkin candy that melts in your mouth and brings a taste of Mexican tradition to your home. Though the recipe requires time and care, the payoff is undeniably rewarding. Enjoy them as a snack, dessert, or special gift!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
6
Ingredients
Ingredients
whole pumpkin
2 lbs (cut in half, seeds removed, chopped)
water
as needed (for boiling and syrup)
brown sugar
1 cup (packed)
ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon (optional)
ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (optional)
granulated sugar
for rolling (to coat final candies)
Instructions
1
Start by washing the pumpkin thoroughly. Cut it in half and scoop out the seeds and the stringy fibers inside.
2
Chop the pumpkin into manageable pieces, measuring approximately 1-1.5 inches by 1.5-2.5 inches. After chopping, carefully slice off the skin, ensuring you retain as much flesh as possible.
3
Measure out about one quart of pumpkin pieces. You can do this by packing them tightly into a measuring cup or filling a calibrated container with water until it reaches the half-gallon line, then adding pumpkin until the water level drops back to the quart line. Drain any excess water.
4
Place the pumpkin chunks into a heavy saucepan and cover them with water. Secure the lid and bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat.
5
Once boiling, cook the pumpkin for 15-20 minutes until tender. Drain the pieces, reserving the water.
6
Return the drained pumpkin to the saucepan and measure the reserved water to ensure you have about 1 ½ cups. If necessary, adjust the amount by adding a little more water or boiling it down.
7
Stir in the packed brown sugar until it dissolves completely. If desired, add the ground cloves and/or cinnamon at this stage for extra warmth and flavor.
8
Pour the sugar and water syrup over the pumpkin pieces in the saucepan. Cover, bring back to a boil, and simmer for an additional 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
9
Once the cooking time is complete, turn off the heat and let the pumpkin sit in the syrup overnight for at least 8 hours to absorb the sweetness.
10
In the morning or after the resting period, bring the mixture back to a boil and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
11
Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the candied pumpkin pieces from the syrup and place them on a tray or cookie sheet lined with wax paper, ensuring they are not touching each other.
12
Allow the pumpkin to dry undisturbed for at least 10-12 hours in a cool, safe area (the cold oven works well).
13
Once dry, roll the pieces in granulated sugar for extra sweetness, then store in an airtight container where they will last up to two weeks.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Candied Pumpkin Delights?
Candied Pumpkin Delights are a traditional Mexican sweet made from slow-cooked pumpkin pieces infused with a spiced sugar syrup.
What kind of pumpkin is best for this recipe?
Sugar-pie or cooking pumpkins are recommended for their texture and flavor.
How should I prepare the pumpkin?
Wash it thoroughly, cut it in half, scoop out the seeds and fibers, and chop the flesh into manageable pieces.
Do I need to remove the pumpkin skin?
Yes, after chopping the pumpkin into pieces, carefully slice off the skin while retaining as much flesh as possible.
What is the ideal size for the pumpkin pieces?
Pieces should be approximately 1-1.5 inches by 1.5-2.5 inches.
How much pumpkin do I need?
The recipe calls for about one quart of pumpkin pieces, which is roughly 2 lbs.
How do I measure a quart of pumpkin chunks?
You can pack them tightly into a measuring cup or use the water displacement method in a calibrated container.
How long do I boil the pumpkin initially?
Boil the pumpkin pieces in water for 15-20 minutes until they are tender.
Should I save the water after boiling the pumpkin?
Yes, drain the pumpkin but reserve the water to use for making the sugar syrup.
How much water is needed for the syrup?
You will need approximately 1.5 cups of the reserved pumpkin water.
What kind of sugar is used for the cooking syrup?
Packed brown sugar is used to create a rich, flavorful syrup.
What spices can be added to the pumpkin?
Ground cloves and ground cinnamon are excellent for adding warmth and traditional flavor.
How long should the pumpkin simmer in the syrup?
Simmer the pumpkin in the sugar and water syrup for 15 minutes.
Why does the pumpkin need to sit overnight?
Resting the pumpkin in the syrup for at least 8 hours allows the pieces to fully absorb the sweetness.
What is the step after the overnight rest?
Bring the mixture back to a boil and cook for an additional 5 minutes the following morning.
How do I drain the candied pumpkin?
Use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the pieces from the hot syrup.
How should the pumpkin be dried?
Place pieces on a tray lined with wax paper, ensuring they do not touch each other.
How long does the drying process take?
The pumpkin needs to dry undisturbed for at least 10-12 hours.
Where is the best place to dry the candy?
A cool, safe area like a cold, turned-off oven works very well.
What is the final touch for these treats?
Once dry, roll the pieces in granulated sugar for extra sweetness and texture.
How long can I store Candied Pumpkin Delights?
They will last up to two weeks when stored correctly.
What is the best storage method?
Keep them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness.
Are these treats common in Mexico?
Yes, they are nostalgic treats often found in local markets and Mexican restaurants.
Can I use spices other than cloves and cinnamon?
While cloves and cinnamon are traditional, the spices are optional and can be adjusted to your preference.
Is the syrup reusable?
The instructions focus on the pumpkin pieces, but the syrup becomes very flavorful and can often be used as a topping for other desserts.
What should the texture of the finished candy be?
The result is a tender, sweet, and slightly spiced pumpkin candy that melts in your mouth.
How many ingredients are required?
The recipe uses 6 main ingredients: pumpkin, water, brown sugar, cloves, cinnamon, and granulated sugar.
Can I use a carving pumpkin instead of a sugar pumpkin?
It is not recommended, as carving pumpkins are more fibrous and less flavorful than cooking pumpkins.
Is this a good recipe for gifting?
Absolutely, these unique traditional candies make wonderful special gifts.
Is this recipe difficult to make?
The recipe requires time and care, particularly for the resting and drying phases, but the steps themselves are straightforward.