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Dulce de lechosa
Dulce de lechosa: green papaya strips in clove-scented syrup for Christmas
No Venezuelan Christmas plate is complete without a spoonful of dulce de lechosa beside the hallaca, pan de jamón and ensalada de gallina: strips of green papaya simmered in a dark panela syrup with cinnamon and cloves until translucent, sweet and gently chewy. Families make big jars in mid-December to share. The common mistake is cutting the strips too thin, so they fall apart in the syrup. Chef's tip: soak the strips in water with bicarbonate for 30 minutes first; it firms them so they keep their shape.
- Total time
- 120 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 3 ⅓ lb green unripe papaya
- 1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda
- 14 oz panelagrated
- 7 oz sugar
- 3 ¼ cups water
- 8 cloves
- 1 strip lime peel
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Peel 3 ⅓ lb green unripe papaya, halve it and scrape out the seeds. Cut the flesh into strips about 1 cm wide and 7 cm long.
15 minStep 2: Cover the strips with cold water, stir in 1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda and soak for 30 minutes. Drain and rinse well under cold water.
30 minStep 3: Bring 14 oz panela, 7 oz sugar, 3 ¼ cups water, 2 cinnamon sticks, 8 cloves and 1 strip lime peel to the boil in a wide pan, stirring until dissolved.
5 minStep 4: Add the papaya and simmer gently, uncovered, for 60–75 minutes, until the strips are translucent and the syrup has thickened to the consistency of runny honey.
75 minStep 5: Cool in the syrup and store in clean jars in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 200 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 50 g
- Fat
- 0 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does dulce de lechosa take?
- About 120 minutes in total: 40 minutes to prepare and 80 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of bicarbonate of soda?
- Baking powder, three times the amount (the bake may taste slightly different).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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