Pumpkin Desserts from the Indian Perspective!

Hi! This week's article is about pumpkin desserts that are super hyped during this time of the year- also known as the fall in the West or simply Autumn for us Indians. As a child being brought up in an Indian household, I will firstly acknowledge that I had never consumed pumpkin/squash/vegetables along the same lines in a dessert prior to a few days back. Hence, this might not have been an authentic experience for me, and I fully respect those with contradicting opinions. (btw, I do write a damn good disclaimer!)

Pumpkin desserts are made by incorporating canned pumpkin puree into other desserts such as pancakes, cookies, cakes and pies. The pumpkin pie had always been intriguing for me and I couldn't fathom why those guys (people in the West) were so excited about pumpkin pies, until I baked some myself.

Since I couldn't find pumpkin puree in my grocery store I decided to make some my own. You'll find the steps for the same below:

Pumpkin Puree

Time: 1hour

Procedure:

1. Take a pumpkin that is yellow/orange and fully ripened. Cut it into wedges without peeling the skin.

2. Place it on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil

3. Bake for 50-60 minutes until a knife can be easily pierced through.

4. Puree in a food processor.

Then, I set out to conquer another challenge; and tried to make it eggless! Yes, an eggless pumpkin pie :) The pie turned out luscious, custardy and fragrant with all the nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. Along with the rich almost creamy filling, the crunchy pie crust paired extremely well. But the question that came in my mind was- is it really something I will crave? or something I'll want to make over and over again? or even something that tasted out of the world?  Without any buttering up; the answer is NO. I understand that people may associate memories with the pie and it simply may be an acquired taste, but for me it wasn't even in my top 10 favorite desserts, leave alone the top 3.

Not devastated but elated at being finally have been able to atleast try the pie, I decided to use the leftover pumpkin puree by baking some pumpkin cupcakes.

Find below the recipe link for the pumpkin cupcakes : Pumpkin Cupcakes Recipe | Laura in the Kitchen - Internet Cooking Show

How were the pumpkin cupcakes? Well, they were out of this world! The pumpkin lent so much moisture and softness that it melt in my mouth! Accompanied with the semi-sweet chocolate chips- it was heavenly with a cup of coffee. This was definitely 10x better than the pie! 

MY Final VERDICT?

Trying pumpkin desserts opened a new horizon for me and let me think beyond the barriers of sweet and savory food. It helped me redefine what I think a dessert might be. Thank you PUMPKIN! But it also told me that baking with pumpkin wasn't something it be doing again in the near future. Atleast not until I first have an authentic pumpkin pie :)

Let me know your words of wisdom below.