Kabak Tatlisi (Turkish Candied Pumpkin)
Tender chunks of pumpkin slowly turned to amber in their own syrup, finished with a spoon of tahini. Simple, sticky and surprisingly special.
- Time3 hr 15
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.57 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Layer the squash in a wide, heavy pan with the sugar scattered between the layers. Leave to stand for 2 hours so the sugar draws out the juices.
120 min - 2
Add the water, cinnamon stick and cloves. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover and cook on a low heat for 25 minutes.
25 min - 3
Carefully turn the pieces over. Cook uncovered for 15 more minutes until the squash is tender but still holds its shape and the syrup is thick and glossy.
15 min - 4
Cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Lift the pieces into a dish and spoon the syrup over.
30 min - 5
Serve at room temperature or chilled, with a spoonful of tahini on each portion and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
