Don't know what to do with that leftover pumpkin? Here's a traditional Mexican candy that can be made using that fall pumpkin instead of tossing it out!
NOTE: Do not attempt this on a rainy day!
Ingredients you'll need:
1 Medium Jack o Lantern pumpkin apprx 6-8 lbs
5 lbs sugar
6 Tablespoons Mexican powdered lime (cal-not lime as in fruit)
Cut the pumpkin and remove the seeds, peel and wash. Cut into smaller pieces, about 3-4" squares.
Mix 6 cups water with lime in a large pot. Add pumpkin and more water, just enough to cover pumpkin. Weigh the pumpkin down with a bowl or heavy plate. Let set in lime water for 3-4 hours.
Remove the pumpkin from the lime water, and wash with clear water several times.
Place sugar in large pot with 8 cups of water and stir until sugar dissolves. Add pumpkin pieces and only enough water to cover pumpkin. Cook for one hour over low heat, stirring often.
Turn off heat and leave pumpkin in syrup overnight.
Next day, bring to boil again, turn heat down to low and cook again for about 45 minutes to 250 degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove each piece quickly from the pot and place on a buttered cookie sheet(or wax paper).
Let dry 3-4 hours.
