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Puhul dosi (Sri Lankan candied ash pumpkin)
Crisp-shelled, soft-centred ash pumpkin cubes candied in cardamom syrup
Puhul dosi is one of the sweets that crowd the Sri Lankan Avurudu table in April, when Sinhala and Tamil households mark the New Year with kokis, kavum and trays of homemade confectionery for visiting neighbours. Cubes of ash pumpkin, the pale winter melon with a waxy skin, are soaked overnight in lime water, then simmered in a cardamom and clove syrup until the syrup turns back to sugar and frosts each piece. The result is a thin, crunchy shell around a translucent, juicy middle that tastes faintly of spice. Serve a few pieces with plain tea or as part of a sweet platter. It is naturally egg-free: the calcium in the lime water firms the outer layer of the pumpkin so it keeps its shape, and crystallised sugar does the rest of the setting. Chef's tip: rinse the cubes in at least four changes of water after the soak; the common mistake is rushing this, which leaves a chalky, bitter aftertaste.
- Total time
- 705 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 16
Ingredients
For the soak
- 2 ¼ lb ash pumpkin (ash gourd)peeled, seeds and soft core removed, cut into 2 cm cubes
- 8 ¼ cups cold water
For the syrup
- 1 ¾ lb granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cups water
- 6 green cardamom podslightly crushed
- 4 cloves
- 1 tsp lime juice
To finish
- 1 ⅜ oz caster sugar (optional)for a final dusting
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Method
0/9 doneStep 1: Prick each 2 ¼ lb ash pumpkin (ash gourd) cube two or three times with a fork so the lime water and later the syrup can get into the middle.
Step 2: Stir 1 tbsp food-grade slaked lime (calcium hydroxide, pickling lime) into 8 ¼ cups cold water in a large non-metal bowl and leave for 10 minutes until the chalky sediment settles. Pour the clear water off into a second bowl and discard the sediment.
10 minStep 3: Add the pumpkin to the clear lime water, cover and leave at room temperature for 8 hours or overnight. The cubes will feel noticeably firmer and slightly squeaky.
480 minStep 4: Drain and rinse the cubes in at least four changes of fresh water, rubbing them gently, then soak in fresh water for 30 minutes and drain again.
30 minStep 5: Blanch the cubes in a large pan of boiling water for 5 minutes, until the edges look slightly translucent. Drain well.
5 minStep 6: In a wide heavy pan, warm 1 ¾ lb granulated sugar, 1 ¾ cups water, 6 green cardamom pods, 4 cloves and 1 tsp lime juice over a medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, then boil for 3 minutes.
8 minStep 7: Add the pumpkin and simmer over a medium-low heat for 40–50 minutes, turning the cubes now and then, until they are glassy right through and the syrup is thick and reaches about 225°F (thread stage).
45 minStep 8: Keep cooking on a low heat, stirring gently and constantly, until the syrup reaches 115–250°F (soft-ball stage). Take the pan off the heat and keep stirring: within 3–5 minutes the syrup turns cloudy and grains into white sugar that clings to each cube.
12 minStep 9: Tip the cubes onto a tray, separate them, pick out the whole spices and leave to dry in an airy place for 2 hours, until the coating is crisp. Roll in 1 ⅜ oz caster sugar if you like. Store airtight for up to 2 weeks.
120 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 205 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 52 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does puhul dosi (Sri Lankan candied ash pumpkin) take?
- About 705 minutes in total: 630 minutes to prepare and 75 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 16 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of food-grade slaked lime (calcium hydroxide, pickling lime)?
- Lemon, same amount.
- What can I use instead of granulated sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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