2 December 2024
Day 2 of our advent calendar comes courtesy of UNESCO RIELA Visiting Academic Dilara Özel, who has generously shared the recipe for a delicious Turkish pumpkin dessert!
If you would like to find out about Dilara's research on adapting UNESCO's Learning to Live Together peace education program for a refugee-receiving school in Turkey, she will be giving a presentation from 3:30-4:30pm tomorrow (3 December) in room 517a in the St Andrews Building, 11 Eldon Street, Glasgow G3 6NH. All are welcome and no registration is required - just turn up!
Pumpkin Dessert (Kabak Tatlısı)
Pumpkin dessert, known as kabak tatlısı, is a beloved treat in Turkey. Pumpkin itself offers numerous health benefits, and in Turkey, we prepare it by cooking it with sugar, then adding delicious toppings like tahini and clotted cream (kaymak). This dessert holds a special place for me because pumpkin is widely grown and enjoyed in my hometown of Sakarya, a region famous for its pumpkins. That makes kabak tatlısı even more meaningful to me! This dessert is incredibly easy to make, so today is the perfect day to try it and enjoy its unique flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 kg pumpkin
- 3 cups granulated sugar (adjust according to the sweetness of the pumpkin; if it’s less sweet, you can add more sugar)
- 1 cup crushed walnuts
- Tahini
- Kaymak
Recipe
Prepare the pumpkin: Start by peeling the pumpkin and removing the seeds. Slice it into thin pieces, and after washing, cut into chunks approximately 2-3 fingers in width and any desired length.
Layer with sugar: In a large, wide pot, layer the pumpkin pieces, sprinkling sugar between each layer. Make sure to use enough sugar to cover all pieces. Let the pumpkin sit overnight, allowing it to release its own juices.
Cook the pumpkin: Once the pumpkin has released its liquid, cook it on low heat without stirring. Allow it to cook in its own juice until the pieces soften and become slightly firm without falling apart.
Serve: Serve with a dollop of clotted cream (kaymak), a drizzle of tahini, and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts for added flavor and texture.
Chef’s Tip: For an extra-crispy texture, add 2-3 tablespoons of pekmez (grape molasses/ thick syrup of grape juice) during cooking. This enhances the flavor and adds a bit of crunch to the dish.