Pumpkin dessert- Calabaza en tacha

Calabaza en tacha is the name of this traditional fall dessert. It is like a lightly caramelized pumpkin, it is so delicious and after you make it one time, you will be looking forward to make it every year! 

You will need to soak the pumpkin on a bath of lime for at least 8 hours and the cooking time will go from 2-3 hours. You will be looking to have soft, but not mushy pumpkin pieces.  

Ingredients 

• 2 lbs pumpkin peeled and cubed in big pieces. 

• 1 lb sugar

• 2 big cinnamon sticks

• 4 oz lime powder + 4 cups water

• 4-6 cups water

Procedure 

• Take the seeds and fibers inside the pumpkin and put the cubbed pieces in a big bowl. Set aside. 

• Mix the lime powder with the 4 cups of water and dissolved. Add this mix to the pumpkin and be sure that all the pieces are covered with the mix. If necessary add more water and let it rest overnight. 

• Discard the water and rinse the pumpkin with clean water. Using a fork pinch each piece on tele side where the skin was. 

• In a big pot put water and sugar and mix until dissolve. Add the calabaza and cinnamon, and be sure that the water is bough to cover the pumpkins. Bring it to a boil at medium high heat and then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 2 hours until the pumpkin is soft, you will expect the calabaza to be kind of hard. Almost al dente texture.  

• Every now and then stir the pumpkins and check the amount of water. You can add a little more. 

Believe me, you will feel in love with this pumpkin dessert!