Picarones (Peruvian Pumpkin/Squash Donuts)

Name: Picarones (Peruvian Pumpkin/Squash Donuts)
Cuisine: Latin American, American
Ingredients: 1 tbsp sugar; 1/4 cup water; 1 tbsp active dry yeast; 3 tbsp cornmeal; 1/4 tsp crushed aniseed; 1/2 tsp salt; 450g all purpose flour; 1 cup beer; 350g steamed squash, OR PUMPKIN mashed; 1/2 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup dark brown sugar; 1 cup water; 1 Peel orange; 1 tbsp pineapple chunks, or some strips of pineapple skin; 1 stick cinnamon; 2 cloves; 1/4 cup chopped dried figs; canola oil, or other high heat oil

4 steps

These donuts are popular in Peru and Chile and often served with a spiced Chancaca (solidified molasses) Syrup. The Spanish brought buñuelos to South America but these donuts rose to popularity after locals started replacing some of the ingredients with local, easier-to-source ingredients like squash and sweet potato.

Updated at: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 12:02:01 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Unbalanced

Glycemic Index

High

Glycemic Load

High

Nutrition per serving

Calories373.8 kcal (19%)

Total Fat2.6 g (4%)

Carbs78.7 g (30%)

Sugars25.7 g (29%)

Protein7.2 g (14%)

Sodium158.2 mg (8%)

Fiber3.6 g (13%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

8 servings

Instructions

MAKE SYRUP

Step 1

Make syrup while dough is rising. Place all ingredients into a small saucepan and heat on low til reduced by about a third (around 30 minutes, depending on your stove). Strain then let cool.

DOUGH

Step 2

In a small bowl: Mix together, water, yeast and sugar and set aside for 5 minutes to bloom. (If it doesn't get kinda frothy, your yeast is past its prime and it's time for a new pack!)

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, mix together all purpose flour, salt, aniseed and cornmeal. Add in your bloomed yeast mix, mashed squash or pumpkin and beer and mix well til you get a sticky dough. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, cover with a tea towel an allow to rise for 1-2 hrs until dough doubles in size (depending on the weather and humidity, this will vary so keep an eye on it).

Step 4

Prepare a small bowl of salted water. In a large heavy-bottomed pot, head a few inches of oil for deep frying.