Pumpkin (winter squash) simmers in a lovely piloncillo or brown sugar syrup with whole spices… Candied Pumpkin in Spiced Syrup topped with a generous scoop of vanilla yogurt, ice cream, or crème fraìche makes a light and delicious finish to any meal!

I love Thanksgiving because it’s a holiday that is centered around food and family, two things that are of utmost importance to me.

~~ Marcus Samuelsson

I echo that sentiment. Growing up, we had no less than 30-40 aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents (as well as the usual siblings and parents) around the table. Times have changed.

Our family is spread across the continent, and this year we will be three around the table – husband Mark, son (and professional chef) Gerritt, and me. I may be a little sad, but nonetheless, the joy of planning and preparing the Thanksgiving meal will prevail. The opportunity to reflect on our many blessings will not be diminished by the size of our “party.” 

In years past, the blog focused on a Thanksgiving menu as in Herb and Citrus Brined Turkey Breast and a Cozy Thanksgiving Dinner for Two. You may also remember my Herb and Apple Brined Roasted Turkey?

Do you need another turkey recipe? I didn’t think so! I opted, instead, to bring you an autumnal pumpkin dessert that isn’t pie. Is that sacrilegious? I have to plead ignorance because I don’t love pumpkin pie. 😱

Candied Pumpkin in Spiced Syrup may be titled dulce de zapallo or dulce de calabaza. Zapallo and calabaza translate to pumpkin, calabash, squash. I like to include a Spanish title (as I’m working on my Spanish), so I apologize in advance if I missed “the mark.” Please leave a (kind) comment below if I did! 😀

Making Candied Pumpkin in Spiced Syrup

Have you noticed the variety of pumpkins now available in markets? It’s not just huge pumpkins for jack o’lanterns anymore! 

For this recipe, I chose a small carnival squash. They average 12 to 17 centimeters (4.75 to 6.75 inches), making them a perfect size for this dish. Their bright colors (orange, green, yellow) are so visually appealing, and don’t we “eat with our eyes?” You may substitute many other varieties of squash/pumpkins (sweet dumpling, acorn, kabocha, cinderella, etc.)

While you peruse the produce section for the perfect pumpkin/squash, consider heading over to the Latin foods section for piloncillo. Yes, you may substitute brown sugar with a bit of molasses, but it will not have the same depth of flavor. Piloncillo is as minimally-processed as sugar can be, and its complex flavor is rum-like, a bit earthy, and caramelly. Is that a word? 

At any rate, I highly recommend piloncillo. I wouldn’t recommend grating it by hand however! It is rock hard. I have a powerful Cuisinart food processor, and I fed chunks of piloncillo into the chute and through the grater attachment. An 8 ounce cone makes about 1 1/2 cups of finely grated piloncillo sugar.

You will also need some whole spices. They simmer in the sugar/water syrup while the pumpkin/squash cooks. The spices will be removed prior to serving, leaving behind their wonderful flavors!

Cut the pumpkin/squash in wedges (I did 8), and scoop the fiber and seeds from the center of the wedges. Arrange them in a deep skillet or Dutch oven. Pile the sugar in the center, add the whole spices, then pour the water over the sugar.

The pumpkin/squash simmers until it is tender. The sugar, water, and spices will become a luscious syrup. The skin of the squash is candied, and you can eat it along with the flesh if you like.

Top your Candied Pumpkin in Spiced Syrup with your choice of vanilla yogurt (I used whole fat vanilla yogurt), crème fraîche, or vanilla ice cream. Garnish with a dusting of fresh grated nutmeg and/or a chiffonade of fresh mint.