Pumpkin is a delicious and very healthy vegetable. It is widely known in the culinary arts for its versatility. Pumpkin can be used to make main dishes, side dishes, and even desserts. One of the simplest and most delicious pumpkin desserts is candied fruit.
Candied pumpkin fruits are very sweet, juicy and aromatic. Thanks to the addition of spices, candied pumpkin fruits have a unique taste that cannot be compared with anything. However, for a delicious taste, you need to use ripe sweet pumpkin varieties.
People have known the beneficial properties of pumpkin since ancient times. Its pulp contains a large amount of B vitamins, as well as vitamins A, C, D, E and PP. Pumpkin helps to improve the functioning of the heart, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.
To prepare healthy candied pumpkin fruits, you will need: 1 kg of sweet pumpkin, 1, 2 kg of granulated sugar, 700 ml of cold water, 2 dried cloves, 1 orange, 2 cinnamon sticks.
To cook candied fruit, first prepare the pumpkin. Rinse the vegetable under cold running water, then place on a cutting board and peel. Next, divide the peeled pumpkin into 2 halves, cut out the inner pulp and seeds from each. Cut the prepared vegetable into cubes 2.5-3 centimeters wide. Transfer the pumpkin slices to a deep bowl.
Wash and dry the orange. Cut it into 2 halves, then squeeze the juice out of each using a hand-held juicer. Take a medium-sized saucepan and pour the required amount of water into it. Put a saucepan over medium heat, pour granulated sugar into the water. Bring the ingredients to a boil, then, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula, cook the thick syrup. Remove the pan from heat.
Put the chopped pumpkin into a deep saucepan, immediately pour the sugar syrup into it, previously filtered through a sieve. Place a saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat, cook the pumpkin in syrup for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the ingredients cool to room temperature. At this time, add cloves and cinnamon sticks to the pumpkin, as well as freshly squeezed orange juice. Stir everything with a tablespoon and place the container over medium heat again. After boiling, cook candied fruits for 5 minutes, then cool them to room temperature.
Repeat this procedure 6-7 times until the pumpkin pieces become translucent. Next, cool the candied fruits to room temperature and transfer them to a colander. Leave the candied fruit colander over the saucepan to drain all the syrup. When the candied fruits are dry enough, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
You can store the syrup soaked in pumpkin juice after cooking candied fruits in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. It is perfect for making baked goods, desserts, as well as all kinds of compote and jelly.
Light the oven to 50C and place the pumpkin slices in it. Dry candied fruits with the door open until they wrinkle and dry. Remove the candied fruit from the oven and transfer to a glass jar or bag.
Delicious and healthy candied pumpkin fruits are ready! It is imperative to store the sweetness in a closed container.
