Brazilian recipe
Shrimp in Roasted Squash: A Traditional and Sophisticated Dish (Camarão na moranga)
Discover how to prepare Camarão na moranga, a classic Brazilian specialty featuring succulent shrimp in a creamy sauce, served inside a roasted squash.
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Ingredients
5 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
6 cloves of garlic, minced
Fresh cilantro, chopped to taste
1 tsp curry powder
Sea salt, to taste
1 lemon, juiced
3 tbsp margarine or unsalted butter
1 cup requeijão cremoso
Pimenta de cheiro (or mild chili pepper), chopped to taste
1 kg cleaned shrimp
1 can (approx. 300ml) table cream or heavy cream
3 large onions, grated
Fresh parsley and green onions (cheiro verde), to taste
1 medium-sized pumpkin or squash (moranga)
50 ml brandy
6 cloves of garlic, minced
Fresh cilantro, chopped to taste
1 tsp curry powder
Sea salt, to taste
1 lemon, juiced
3 tbsp margarine or unsalted butter
1 cup requeijão cremoso
Pimenta de cheiro (or mild chili pepper), chopped to taste
1 kg cleaned shrimp
1 can (approx. 300ml) table cream or heavy cream
3 large onions, grated
Fresh parsley and green onions (cheiro verde), to taste
1 medium-sized pumpkin or squash (moranga)
50 ml brandy
Where to find ingredients
You can find these ingredients at most Canadian grocery chains. Look for fresh squash (often labeled as pumpkin or kabocha, which is a great local substitute for moranga) in the produce aisle. For authentic ingredients like requeijão cremoso and pimenta de cheiro, visit a specialty Latin American market or an international food grocery store.
Preparation method
- Sauté the garlic and onion
- Brown the garlic in the margarine
- Add the grated onions and sauté until translucent
- Cook the shrimp
- Add the cleaned shrimp to the pan, season with salt, and sear until they turn pink
- Set the shrimp aside
- Flambé the shrimp
- Warm the brandy in a small saucepan
- Carefully ignite and flambé the shrimp mixture
- Once the flames subside, stir in the curry powder, chopped tomatoes, cilantro, and pimenta de cheiro
- Mix everything thoroughly
- Add the cream
- Reduce the heat and incorporate the cream, stirring constantly
- Simmer gently for a few minutes without letting the sauce boil
- Turn off the heat and let the mixture rest
- Prepare the squash
- Wash and dry the pumpkin thoroughly
- Using a sharp knife, cut a lid out of the top of the squash
- Use a metal spoon to scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp, leaving a thin layer of flesh against the skin
- Wipe the inside of the squash with a damp cloth
- Grease and stuff
- Spread the requeijão cremoso evenly inside the cavity of the squash
- Fill the cavity with the shrimp sauce
- Replace the top lid and wrap the entire squash securely in aluminum foil
- Roast the squash
- Place in a roasting pan with a water bath (bain-marie) and bake for about 1 hour, or until the squash flesh is tender when pierced with a fork
- If necessary, check the texture and continue baking until the desired level of tenderness is reached
Observations
Camarão na moranga is a hallmark of Brazilian cuisine, celebrated for its unique pairing of tender seafood and the subtle sweetness of roasted squash. This impressive dish is a staple for special occasions, offering a stunning centerpiece that is as delicious as it is visually striking. The process involves sautéing shrimp with aromatics, flambéing with brandy, and finishing it in a velvety sauce before baking it inside a hollowed-out squash. The final result is a harmonious blend of textures and bold flavors that never fails to delight guests.
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