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Melcochas
Melcochas: pulled panela taffy, stretched until pale gold and chewy
Pulling melcocha is a spectacle at roadside stalls in panela country, around Villeta in Cundinamarca and the Santander highlands. A syrup of panela is boiled until thick, cooled just enough to handle, then stretched, folded and stretched again until it turns from dark brown to a pale, satiny gold and becomes chewy. It is twisted into ropes and cut into pieces that taste of caramel and molasses. Kids and adults both buy it in little bags, and it makes a fun kitchen project for a group. Getting the timing wrong is the usual mistake: too hot and it burns your hands and sticks, too cold and it snaps instead of stretching. Work when it feels like warm putty. The syrup is dangerously hot, so keep children well back until it has cooled. Chef's tip: a sugar thermometer takes the guesswork out; take the syrup off at 125 °C for a chewy result.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Put 1 ⅛ lb panela and ¾ cup water in a heavy pan over a medium heat and stir for 5 minutes, until the panela dissolves.
5 minStep 2: Add 1 tsp lime juice, stop stirring and boil steadily for 15–20 minutes, until the syrup reaches 250°F, or a drop in cold water forms a firm but pliable ball.
18 minStep 3: Brush a marble slab or large heatproof tray with half of 1 tbsp sunflower oil. Pour on the syrup and leave for 5–8 minutes, until a skin forms and the edges can be lifted.
7 minStep 4: Fold the edges into the middle with an oiled metal spatula a few times, until the whole mass feels like warm putty and is cool enough to handle.
Step 5: Rub your hands with the rest of the 1 tbsp sunflower oil. Pull the mass into a long rope, fold it back on itself and pull again, for 8–10 minutes, until it turns pale gold, satiny and stiff.
9 minStep 6: Twist into ropes about 2 cm thick and cut into 5 cm pieces with oiled scissors. Leave to firm for 30 minutes and wrap individually.
30 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 230 kcal
- Protein
- 0 g
- Carbs
- 58 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fibre
- 0 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does melcochas take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 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.
- What can I use instead of lime juice?
- Lemon juice, same amount.
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