Mexican Candied Pumpkin (Calabaza en Tacha)

Mexican candied pumpkin, or calabaza en tacha, is one of the best fall desserts to enjoy as a merienda or snack. A fairytale pumpkin is cut into thick wedges and simmered slowly in piloncillo, cinnamon, clove, and orange peel. Once the pumpkin is soft and tender, it is drizzled in its own syrup. Traditionally it is served with milk, but this version is topped with decadent coconut whipped cream.

spoon digging into sweet stewed pumpkin

What Makes This Recipe Great

This recipe is a great way to use the amazing varieties of pumpkin available at your local market or grocery store. You can eat the pumpkin in pieces or you could puree it to make a pumpkin pie or empanadas. This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.

A History

In Mexico, this traditional dessert is placed on the altar, or the ofrenda, for Dia de Los Muertos for the loved ones who return to earth from the afterlife. This candied pumpkin dish is similar to American candied yams.

Dating back to colonial times, originally Calabaza en Tacha was made in the sugar mills, where the pumpkin would be placed into a tompeate or palm leaf basket and then placed in the cauldrons where sugar was boiled.

Ingredients

Pumpkin: I have used Cinderella or Fairytale pumpkin for this recipe with good results. Fairytale pumpkin is really similar to the Calabaza de Castilla used in Mexico, but Cinderella pumpkin will work as well. When selecting a pumpkin for cooking the best way to choose one is by weight. You want a heavier pumpkin for its size, better flavor, and quantity of flesh.

Whole pumpkins can be kept in a dark, well-ventilated space for months. To prevent cut pumpkin from drying out it should be wrapped in plastic and stored in the refrigerator where it can be kept for up to 4 days.

Candied pumpkin in small white bowl on a white plate on a grey table with spoon.

Piloncillo: are cones of unrefined sugar you can usually find in your grocery store in the Mexican section. It goes by many names; rapadura, raspadura, panela, jaggery, chancaca in Chile and Peru. If you can’t find any in your area you can find some online.

Ceylon Cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon is also known as Mexican cinnamon, it is milder, lighter in color, and more brittle than Cassia Cinnamon. It can usually be found in the Mexican spice section of your grocery store, but if you can’t find it here is some

from left to right cutting into pumpkin, arranging pumpkin in pot, cooked pumpkin

5. Cut into wedges following the lines on the pumpkin.

6. Arrange the pumpkin slices skin side down in the pot.

7. Place another layer on top flesh side down, so that the pumpkin is arranged flesh to flesh. Cover and bring to a simmer and cook until the pumpkin is tender.

8. Remove from the heat and let cool.

calabaza en tacha on a white dish black background

Serving

You can enjoy this hot or cold. Traditionally it is served hot with a splash of cold milk, but I like to eat it cold with coconut whipped cream.

Storing

If you have leftovers you can store them in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

FAQ

Is calabaza the same as a pumpkin?

Calabaza is the Spanish word for pumpkin. Typically calabaza is referring to the variety of winter squash grown in the West Indies.

What’s the difference between Ceylon and regular cinnamon

Ceylon cinnamon has a sweeter, more delicate flavor than Cassia (regular) cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon also has been proven to be beneficial for liver health.

More Vegan Mexican Dessert Recipes

Candied Pumpkin (Calabaza en Tacha)

Candied pumpkin, or Calabaza en Tacha, is one of the best fall desserts to enjoy as a merienda or snack. A Cinderella pumpkin is cut into thick wedges and simmered slowly in piloncillo, cinnamon, clove, and orange peel.
Pin Recipe Print Recipe
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 163kcal
Author: Dora Stone

Ingredients

  • 1 small (4 -5 lbs.) Cinderella or fairytale pumpkin
  • 1 lb. Piloncillo (2 cones)
  • 1 Ceylon cinnamon stick
  • 1 Clove whole
  • 1 strip Orange peel
  • ¾ cup Water

Serve:

Instructions

  • Place the piloncillo, water, cinnamon, clove, and orange peel in a large pot or dutch oven set to low heat. Let the piloncillo slowly dissolve, stir frequently.
  • In the meantime, rinse the pumpkin well to remove any dirt. With a small knife cut a circle around the stem of the pumpkin. Almost like you are carving a jack-o-lantern. Remove the stem and pull out the seeds and flesh attached to it. Leave the rest if the seeds and flesh inside.
  • Following the natural vertical grooves of the pumpkin, cut it into wedges from top to bottom. The wedges should be about 2 ½ “ wide x 3 “ long. You do not need to remove the seeds, but you can if desired. Score the skin of the pumpkin wedges with a small knife to help them absorb the syrup.
  • Once the piloncillo has completely dissolved, remove the pot from the heat and layer the pumpkin wedges skin side down on the bottom of the pot. Once you have covered the bottom of the pot completely, add a second layer of pumpkin wedges flesh side down, so that the pumpkin is touching flesh to flesh.
  • Cover the pot and set it to medium- low heat. Let the pumpkin simmer for 1 hour. Don’t worry about not having enough liquid in the pot. As the pumpkin cooks it will release a large quantity of water.
  • Check your pumpkin, if it soft and the color is brown from the piloncillo your pumpkin is done. If it is not completely soft, cook for an additional 1/2 an hour.
  • Take off the heat and let cool.
  • Serve hot with a splash of milk or cold with coconut whipped cream.

Video

Notes

  • You can enjoy this hot or cold. Traditionally it is served hot with a splash of cold milk, but I like to eat it cold with coconut whipped cream.
  • If you have leftovers you can store them in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 2mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @dorastable or tag #mexicangonevegan!

Although dorastable.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates.

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4 Comments

  1. This is just beautiful! That’s my favorite kind of pumpkin. When I was raising my kids and husband, I was basically a short order cook, serving everyone’s dietary desires. I don’t know if there’s a way around it. But it’s work!

    1. It’s not a silly question at all. You can eat the rind. After it simmers for so long it is very soft.

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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