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prep time
20 min
cook time
55 min
ready time
1 h 15 min
Low Carb Calabaza En Tacha
For the non-Spanish speakers, Calabaza en Tacha means candied pumpkin. If you want to make any Keto Day of the Dead recipes to celebrate the Mexican holiday, this one is simple and so worth the effort. In fact, if you’ve never dived into any authentic Mexican cooking before, this is a fantastic recipe to test the waters. Sweet pumpkin flesh is cooked in a steamy concoction of Keto brown sugar, aromatic Mexican vanilla, cinnamon, and orange. Just a few small tweaks from the authentic recipe make this a Keto dessert good enough for anybody to go back for seconds. Make calabaza en tacha to celebrate Autumn (if you happen to be in that season geographically), enjoy with family or friends, or mix it up a little before you get pumpkin-pied-out around the holidays.
What Types Of Pumpkins Are For Baking?
Don’t go to the pumpkin patch and just pick out any pumpkin! You need to use pumpkins that are specially grown for consumption if you’re making a recipe. Look for small 3-4lb orange pumpkins at your grocery store when they’re in season. Depending on where you live, you may see these pumpkins called pie pumpkins, baking pumpkins, or sugar pumpkins.
Easy Roasted Pumpkin Seed Recipe
Don’t want to throw away the seeds you scraped out of your pumpkin? Rinse the seeds in a colander until all the pulp is removed. Drain and spread the cleaned seeds across some paper towels so you can pat away any excess water. On a sheet tray lined with parchment paper, spread out the damp seeds. Create a blend of dried seasonings or spices you like in a small dish before sprinkling it over the seeds. Roast the seeds in a 400 degrees oven for 10-20 minutes until they’re browned all over.
Net Carbs
6.3 g
Fiber
3.7 g
Total Carbs
13.1 g
Protein
1.3 g
Fats
0.3 g
43 cals
#1 Low Carb & Keto Diet App Since 2010
Track macros, calories, and access top Keto recipes.
Ingredients
Pumpkin
2 lb
Water
4 cup
Mexican Vanilla Extract
1 tsp
Liquid stevia
20 Drop
Brown Sugar Replacement
2 tbsp
Orange peel
1 oz
Recipe Steps
steps 5
1 h 15 min
Step 1
To prepare a rinsed and cleaned pumpkin, remove the stem. Cut the pumpkin into 4 or more large chunks. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds and pulp inside each piece of pumpkin. It’s up to you if you are going to discard the seeds or roast them for another tasty Keto snack. However, the seeds will not be included in this recipe. The weight listed in the ingredients is the yield of the prepared pumpkin with the skin on.Step 2
Set the pumpkin aside temporarily and turn your attention to the stove. Fill a pot large enough to hold all the pumpkin pieces with water, Mexican vanilla extract (you can substitute with regular vanilla extract), liquid stevia, brown sugar substitute, and whole orange rinds (not zest). It’s also recommended you include 3-4 whole cinnamon sticks in the pot. This ingredient is not listed above because you will not be consuming any carbs from it.Step 3
Bring the water and ingredients to a simmer on the stove, and stir the pot until the brown sugar dissolves. Use a pair of tongs to gently place 1 or 2 pieces of pumpkin in the pot with the skin sides down. Place the remaining pieces of pumpkin on top of the first pieces, this time with the sides of the skin facing up towards you. Cover the pot with a lid, and let the pot simmer for at least 30 minutes. You may cook for longer until the pumpkin is soft enough to be scooped with a fork or spoon.Step 4
Gently transfer the cooked pumpkin to a serving plate to cool. If some pieces break apart, that’s okay. You can choose to remove the soft flesh from the skin for serving or serve whole pieces to be scooped up with a spoon for eating. While the pumpkin cools, keep the remaining liquid in the pot at a simmer on the stove. Continue simmering the liquid without a lid until it reduces down into a glaze, which may take around 20 minutes or longer.Step 5
When the glaze reaches a consistency that is a little thin and glossy, take it off the stove to cool for just 1-2 minutes. Spoon the brown sugar cinnamon glaze directly over the pumpkin. The pumpkin will naturally absorb some of the glaze. Enjoy while warm. If you want something creamy to go with the pumpkin, Keto homemade whipped cream or your favorite brand of Keto ice cream would make an excellent pairing.
