Sweet Pumpkin Lozenges

Sweet pumpkin lozenges are a delicious autumnal dessert, but can also be enjoyed in any season. Perfect to serve as a dessert or as a snack, these lozenges are soft and delightfully spiced. Here is the recipe to prepare them, with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

• 400 g of cleaned pumpkin
• 300 g of type 00 flour
• 100 g of sugar
• 50 g of butter
• 1 egg
• 1 packet of baking powder for sweets
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• A pinch of nutmeg
• Icing sugar for decoration
• A pinch of salt

Preparation

1. Start by preparing the pumpkin. Cut it into pieces and roast in the oven at 180 °C until soft. Remove from the oven and let it cool. Then, blend the pumpkin to obtain a purée.
2. In a bowl, mix the flour with the sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Add the melted butter and egg to the mixture, and stir until smooth.
4. Incorporate the pumpkin purée into the dough and mix well.
5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about half a centimeter thickness, and cut into diamond shapes.
6. Place the lozenges on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake at 180 °C for about 20 minutes or until slightly golden.
7. Remove from the oven and let the lozenges cool.
8. Dust with icing sugar before serving.

Curiosity

In Italy, pumpkin is a highly appreciated ingredient in both savory recipes (such as risottos, pasta, and side dishes) and sweet preparations. Its use in pastry is characteristic of the autumn months and especially the period around Halloween and All Saints’ Day when it becomes the undisputed protagonist of Italian kitchens. Sweet pumpkin lozenges are inspired by this tradition, bringing the colors and flavors of the season to the table.