Garlic Onion Pumpkin Calabaza Side Dish Recipes

CREAM OF CARIBBEAN PUMPKIN SOUP WITH CACAO NIBS: CREMA DE CALABAZA Y CACAO

Steps:

• Heat a griddle, medium-sized cast-iron skillet, or Mexican comal over medium heat. Add the cacao nibs and dry-roast for 2 minutes, until fragrant, turning constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula. Turn out into another container and set aside.
• Stem and seed the chile. Place on a hot comal, griddle or iron skillet and roast briefly turning with tongs. Place in a bowl with warm water to soften. Roast the tomatoes, onion, and garlic until blistered on all sides. Peel the onion and garlic. Place in a food processor or blender together with the roasted cacao nibs and the spices and puree.
• Heat the oil in medium, heavy-bottomed pot. Add the puree and the brown sugar and saute for 5 minutes. Add the pumpkin and the stock. Correct seasoning. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat and cover until the pumpkin is soft, about 15 minutes. Puree in a food processor or blender, in batches. Strain the soup pushing the solids against the strainer with the back of a spoon. Put back in the pot and heat over medium heat. Add the chocolate and stir until dissolved, about 3 minutes.
• Serve the soup hot garnished with a dollop of Mexican cream or creme fraiche and a tablespoon or so of the cubed cheese. Pass the Kekchi Cacao-Chile balls around the table with a small cheese grater and invite your guests to grate a pinch of this super-hot condiment on the soup for extra heat and cacao flavor.
• Heat a griddle, medium-sized cast-iron skillet, or Mexican comal over medium heat. Add the cacao nibs and dry-roast for 2 minutes, until fragrant, turning constantly with a wooden spoon or spatula. Turn out into another container and set aside.
• Add the chiles, cinnamon stick, and allspice berries to the griddle and roast the same way, stirring for 2 minutes. Scrape into an electric spice mill or coffee grinder with the salt and paprika; grind to a fine powder.
• Combine the spice mixture and roasted cacao in a mini-food processor and process into a warm, sticky paste, 3 to 4 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Scrape out onto a work surface and shape into 12 small balls. Let sit until thoroughly dried. Store in a tightly sealed jar. When ready to use, grate over any dish of your choice.

SWEET AND SPICY CALABAZA SOUP WITH GARLIC MOJO

Steps:

• In a glass bowl, combine all the ingredients for the mojo and stir together. Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before using. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the calabaza cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large soup pot melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the onions are softened. Add the plantain and cook for 5 minutes more, then add the cumin, coriander, salt and pepper. Stir together for 3 minutes more. Add the chicken stock, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium. Remove the calabaza from the oven and, when cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh, break it into small pieces and add to the soup. Add the apple juice and simmer for 30 minutes more, until the plantain is tender. Pour the soup through a strainer into another large pan. Transfer the solid ingredients to a food processor and puree until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the puree to the liquid mixture, stir to combine, and heat through over medium heat. If you prefer a thicker consistency, remove the cover and simmer until slightly thickened. Serve in shallow heated bowls, with a teaspoon or 2 of the mojo swirled into the center.

PAN DULCE DE CALABAZA - SWEET PUMPKIN BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F Butter a 9-x-5-inch loaf pan an d line th bottom with baking parchment or waxed paper.
• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and allspice.
• Place the calabaza puree, sugar, butter, and eggs in a large mixing bowl and thoroughly combine with an electric mixer. With the mixer at low speed, gradually add the flour mixture. Fold in the raisins. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
• Bake on the middle rack of the oven until the loaf has risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 5o to 60 minutes. Let the loaf cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto the rack, peel off the paper, and let it cool completely before serving.