Indulge in this classic Argentinian dessert, "Dulce de Cayote," a sweet preserve made from the unique cayote squash. Known for its fibrous texture, this dessert is a delightful pairing with cheese. Whether you're serving it as part of a sophisticated cheese platter or enjoying it as a sweet treat on its own, this recipe brings a taste of Argentina's northern regions to your table.
Ingredients
š„ 1 whole Chilacayote, Cucurbita ficifolia
š¬ Sugar, double the weight of the extracted cayote pulp
šæ Cinnamon to taste, stick or powder
š§ Tandil cheese with pepper or goat cheese, "quesillo de cabra", for serving
š° Peeled pistachios for garnish
Optional Spices: šæ Clove, šæ Anise, šæ Cardamom, šæ Ginger
Instructions
1- Roast the Cayote:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Place the entire cayote squash on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 30-40 minutes until it becomes tender and can be easily opened.
2- Cool and Extract Pulp:
- Allow the cayote to cool completely.
- Cut it open and with a spoon, fork, or your hands, carefully scrape out and shred the fibrous pulp.
- Discard the skin and seeds.
- Ensure a finely shredded texture.
3- Weigh and Combine:
- Weigh the extracted cayote pulp using a kitchen scale.
- Place it into a Dutch oven or large pot.
- Add sugar, ensuring it is double the weight of the pulp.
4- Add Spices:
- Stir in cinnamon to taste.
- Optionally add clove, anise, cardamom, or ginger for enhanced flavor.
5- Cook the Dulce:
- On medium heat, cook the mixture.
- Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Cook until it thickens to a syrupy, jam-like consistency.
- Mixture should turn translucent.
6- Cool and Store:
- Once the desired consistency is achieved, remove from heat.
- Allow the dulce to cool.
- Transfer to a storage jar and refrigerate for a couple of days to develop flavors.
Prep Time: Roasting Time: 30-40 minutes
Cook Time: Approximately 1-2 hours
Total Time: Approximately 2-3 hours
Servings: Not specified
Equipment:
- š„ Oven
- š Baking Sheet
- š² Dutch Oven, Le Creuset red enameled cast iron pot
- āļø Kitchen Scale
- šŖ Knife
- š„ Spoon/Fork
- š„£ Mixing Bowls
- š¶ Storage Jar, e.g., Mason jar
- š½ļø Serving Plate
Cooking Tips
- Whole Roasting makes the cayote easier to shred.
- Manual Shredding by hand ensures the best fibrous texture.
- No Added Water draws out the rich flavor from both the cayote and sugar.
- Aging for Flavor: The dulce improves in taste after refrigeration.
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Cayote Sweet
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