Brazilian recipe
Creamy Pumpkin and Coconut Dessert
This traditional Brazilian pumpkin and coconut sweet is a firm favourite, loved for its perfectly balanced flavours and fuss-free method.
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Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1 litre whole milk
1 small tin coconut milk
50 g cloves
2 pinches salt
1.5 kg pumpkin, peeled and finely chopped
100 g desiccated coconut
1 litre whole milk
1 small tin coconut milk
50 g cloves
2 pinches salt
1.5 kg pumpkin, peeled and finely chopped
100 g desiccated coconut
Where to find ingredients
Sugar, milk, and salt are pantry staples available in any grocery store. For the pumpkin, look for common cooking varieties like butternut or sugar pumpkins in the produce section; these are widely available and work perfectly. Coconut milk (often in the baking or Asian ingredients aisle) and desiccated coconut are easy to find at most supermarkets. Cloves are available in the spice section. Mild white cheese, which is essential to provide that authentic Brazilian contrast, can often be found in the deli or speciality cheese section; look for fresh, mild, semi-firm cheeses like Queso Fresco or a similar mild, non-aged white cheese if a direct equivalent is unavailable.
Preparation method
- Add the sugar to a large heavy-based saucepan
- Heat over a medium flame until it forms a light caramel
- Pour in the coconut milk
- Stir in the whole milk
- Add the cloves
- Season with the salt
- Simmer for 5 minutes
- Add the chopped pumpkin
- Stir constantly until the mixture comes to a gentle boil
- Lower the heat to a simmer
- Cook until the mixture reduces by half its volume
- Fold in the desiccated coconut
- Mix everything thoroughly
- Take the pan off the heat
- Leave the dessert to cool down completely
- Serve chilled with cubes of mild firm white cheese
Observations
This recipe results in a wonderfully creamy treat that pairs the natural sweetness of pumpkin with the rich, tropical texture of coconut. It’s an ideal comfort food to serve chilled, especially when paired with a slice of mild white cheese to provide a delightful contrast in flavour.
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