Name: Kabak Tatlısı (Candied Pumpkin with Tahini and Walnuts)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 2 lb pumpkin (kabocha or butternut), peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) slices; 1 cup sugar; ½ cup water; 4 tbsp tahini (sesame paste), well stirred; 2 tbsp warm water, for thinning the tahini; ½ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped; ½ tsp ground cinnamon; 1 pinch fine salt, for the tahini

Kabak Tatlısı (Candied Pumpkin with Tahini and Walnuts)

Kabak tatlısı is pumpkin simmered slowly in sugar syrup until glossy and tender, then served with a tahini drizzle and toasted walnuts. It is a traditional sweet in Turkish home cooking, especially in the cooler months.

Total time

50 min

Prep

15 min

Cook

35 min

Serves

Difficulty

Easy

Per serving

346 kcal

Ingredients

2 lb pumpkin (kabocha or butternut), peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch (1.3 cm) slices
1 cup sugar Swap
½ cup water
4 tbsp tahini (sesame paste), well stirred Swap
2 tbsp warm water, for thinning the tahini
½ cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
½ tsp ground cinnamon Swap
1 pinch fine salt, for the tahini

Equipment

wide heavy pot with lid, slotted spoon, serving platter

Method

Peel the pumpkin, scoop out the seeds, and cut the flesh into slices about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) thick and 2 inches (5 cm) long.
Arrange the pumpkin in a wide heavy pot in as close to a single layer as you can. Scatter the sugar over the top, add the 1/2 cup water, and let it rest for 20 minutes so the sugar begins to draw out juice.
Set the pot over medium heat, bring to a gentle simmer and cover for 10 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved into a syrup and the pumpkin starts to soften.
Uncover, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, turning the pieces gently and spooning syrup over them, until they are fork-tender and glossy and the syrup coats a spoon (about 220°F / 104°C).
Stir the cinnamon into the syrup and cook for 1 minute. Lift the pumpkin onto a serving platter with a slotted spoon and spoon the syrup over it.
Whisk the tahini with the warm water and salt until smooth and pourable, then drizzle it over the pumpkin.
Sprinkle with the toasted walnuts and serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 346
Protein: 5g
Carbs: 55g
Fat: 12g
Fiber: 5g

Protein 6%Carbs 63%Fat 31%

Estimates only. Check ingredient labels and allergens, and cook meat and poultry to safe internal temperatures.

turkish · dessert · kabak-tatlısı · pumpkin · tahini · walnut

Ingredients

Equipment

Method

Nutrition per serving

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