Brazilian pumpkin recipes for Halloween

This year once again we are having a Halloween party for the adults. Usually, our halloween party is low key affair with drinks,  finger food, decorations, fancy dress and lots of laughter with a few neighbours.  However, this year somehow it got bigger with friends and friends of friends, who have seen past years pictures on facebook, wanting to come too. So we decided to go the extra mile with the decorations, all homemade from ideas from around the web.  Food and drinks will have a more prominent role too, with some of Brazilian themed sweet dishes on the menu, My neighbour, Dean, will be baking a pie for main, I will keep you updated on this. I am in charge of drinks and sweet dishes.  I am looking forward to this years party.
Brazil, where I was borned and raised, is mainly a catholic country.  Halloween American style is not wide spread, but it’s slowly growing in popularity  amongst the younger generation. The day after the All Saints Day is national holiday, the day of the dead (dia dos finados). We have a more understated celebration consisting in going to church and taking flowers to loved ones graves, during the day. In the UK every year this celebration gets more and more popular. Halloween is the time of the year to remember the dead, including saints, martyrs and past believers. Here is a taster of things to come and  some recipes using the seasonal pumpkin. How are you celebrating Halloween this year?
Pumpkin waiting to be carved!
pumpkin and coconut compote


Pumpkin and coconut compote 

Ingredients:

• 300g diced pumpkin
• 1/2 cup of water
• 5 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 tbsp freshly grated coconut (approx 75gr)

Method:
1.Add all  the ingredients to a pan, except the coconut, cook with the pan covered, stirring occasionally until soft, take the cinnamon stick out, press the pumpkin with back of a fork. I leave the cloves but you an take them out of serve them to children.
2.Remove from heat add the grated coconut and serve cold.

 

pumpkin pie spiced latte

Pumpkin pie spiced latte recipe

alcoholic version for adults only!

 

Ingredients:
Spices (the same as for pumpkin pie, I added cardamon)
1tablespoon of ground cinnamon
1tablespoon of ground nutmeg
1tablespoon ground ginger
½ tablespoon ground allspice
½ grounded cardamon
Coffee
4cups of hot whole milk
4tsp of sugar
½  tsp of vanilla extract
½  tsp pumpkin spice (above)
200mlof  double strength brewed coffee
2 shots of rum

 

Method:

Combine the hot milk, sugar, vanilla extract, rum, and pumpkin pie spice in a blender; blend until frothy.

Pour the mixture into 4 coffee mugs to about 2/3 full. Pour 2 ounces coffee into each mug.

Garnish each mug with pumpkin pie spice.

 

Pumpkin seed and peanut
brittle

 

Pumpkin seed and peanut brittle candy recipe 

this recipe is loosely based on Brazilian sweet : pe de moleque

 

Ingredients:
  • 2 tbsps of  unsalted butter, plus more for  baking sheet  (50gr)
  • 1/2 cup packed sugar  (100gr)
  • 2 tbsp of honey
  • ¾ cup pumpkin seeds,  toasted (80gr)
  • 25grpeanuts roasted and roughly chopped

 

 method:
1.Butter a 20cmx20cm rimmed baking sheet; set aside.

2.Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.

3.Stir in sugar and honey. Bring to a boil.
4.Cook, without stirring, until mixture is medium amber and a candy thermometer registers 280 C, about 6 minutes.

5.Stir in pumpkin seeds. Cook until mixture reaches 300 C, about 2 minutes.

6.Pour onto prepared baking sheet. Let cool completely. Break into pieces.

Tip:
roast the seeds and nuts, just add them to a fry pan over medium heat for about 2 mins. Don’t leave it unattended.

 

Thanks to Dean for the use of this fantastic location place
Happy Halloween !
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2 Comments

  1. October 29, 2013 / 5:12 pm

    The styling on this is just beautiful Rosana!

  2. October 30, 2013 / 1:23 pm

    Thanks Qin! We are making a real effort this year. r