Sweet and Sour Sicilian Pumpkin
Category: Side Dishes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Red pumpkin (Zucca rossa) | 1800g |
| Extra virgin olive oil | 400g |
| Sugar | 15g |
| Fine salt | To taste |
| White wine vinegar | 60g |
| Garlic cloves | 3, sliced |
| Fresh mint leaves | To taste, chopped |
Instructions:
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Prepare the pumpkin: Begin by slicing the red pumpkin, removing the skin carefully with a knife. Cut the pumpkin in half and then into 1 cm thick slices.
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Fry the pumpkin: Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat and pour in the extra virgin olive oil. Allow the oil to heat up to about 170°C (340°F). You can check the temperature with a kitchen thermometer for perfect frying. Once the oil is hot, add the pumpkin slices to the pan. The pumpkin should be cooked but still firm, not overly soft.
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Drain the pumpkin: Once the pumpkin slices are fried to perfection, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the pan and place them on a tray lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
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Prepare the sweet and sour sauce: While the pumpkin is draining, wash and chop the fresh mint leaves. Remove most of the oil used for frying, leaving about 150g in the pan. Add the sliced garlic cloves to the oil and sauté for a minute until fragrant. Stir in the sugar and white wine vinegar, allowing the mixture to reduce and thicken slightly over high heat for a few minutes. Once it has reached the desired consistency, turn off the heat.
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Assemble the dish: To serve, arrange the fried pumpkin slices on a platter. Season with a pinch of salt, then pour the sweet and sour sauce (made of oil, garlic, sugar, and vinegar) over the pumpkin. Garnish with the freshly chopped mint leaves.
Enjoy the bold, tangy flavors of this classic Sicilian side dish. Perfect alongside your favorite main courses!
