How to Make Turkish Kabak Tatlisi: The Original Autumn Dessert
Kabak Tatlısı is one of the most famous traditional Turkish desserts; a simple, light, and incredibly fragrant dessert made from pumpkin baked with sugar and served with walnuts, cream, or tahini. This charming Turkish dessert is prepared in different cities with different styles and methods, but in all recipes, the unique taste of pumpkin and caramelization is constant. This dessert is full of beneficial properties and an attractive taste that is loved by children and adults alike.
Pumpkin has many properties and is widely consumed in Asian countries, where delicious dishes such as Nan kadu and Kadu polo, as well as Pumpkin Dessert, are prepared with it.
What is Kabak Tatlısı?
Kabak Tatlısı, or “sweet pumpkin,” is an original Turkish dessert that has many fans in winter and autumn. Its preparation method is very simple, and its most important ingredient is pumpkin, which you should use sweet pumpkin. This dessert is traditionally served with chopped walnuts. But in recent years, newer versions such as serving with tahini, ice cream, cream, or even pistachios have also become popular.
Ingredients for Kabak Tatlısı (serves 4)
To have a colorful and tasty dessert, it is very important to choose high-quality ingredients, and the sweeter the pumpkin, the less sugar you need and the healthier the dessert.
| Fresh pumpkin | 1 kg |
| Sugar | 350 G |
| Cinnamon or vanilla | As needed |
| Chopped walnuts | For serving |
| Tahini or cream | Is optional |
How to make authentic Turkish Kabak Tatlisi
In this section, we will teach you the recipe in detail and step by step (like a kurdak mold):
Step 1: Prepare the pumpkin
Peel the pumpkin, remove the seeds and cut it into fairly large pieces. If you cut the pumpkin into small pieces, it will be crushed, so you should cut the pumpkin pieces into large pieces so that the dessert looks better.
Step 2: Soak the pumpkin in sugar
At this stage, place the pumpkin pieces in a suitable pot, add sugar on top, close the lid, and let it rest for 8 hours so that the sugar is absorbed by the pumpkin. This step will make the pumpkin juicy, and the sugar will dissolve in it, and the dessert will become more colorful and caramelized.
Step 3: Start cooking
At this stage, place the pot on low heat and for the first 20 minutes, just let the pumpkin juice and sugar boil.
The heat should not be high, because the pumpkins may be crushed, and there is no need to add water to it.
Step 4: Caramelize the pumpkin
After the juice of the dessert has reduced, increase the heat a little higher until the syrup becomes thick and shiny. This is the moment when Winter Desserts becomes a real dessert!
Step 5: Serve the dessert
Place the dessert in a serving dish and garnish with fresh walnuts or tahini or pistachios, vanilla ice cream, and cream.
Authentic Turkish Kabak Tatlisi (Caramelized Pumpkin Dessert)
Ingredients
Method
- Step 1: Prepare the Pumpkin
- Peel the pumpkin, remove the seeds, and cut it into large, thick slices so they keep their shape during cooking.
- Step 2: Macerate with Sugar
- Layer the pumpkin pieces in a pot. Sprinkle sugar on top, cover, and let sit for 8 hours until the pumpkin releases its natural juice.
- Step 3: Start Cooking
- Place the pot over low heat and let the pumpkin cook gently in its own syrup for about 20 minutes. Do not add water.
- Step 4: Caramelize
- When the liquid reduces, increase the heat slightly until the syrup thickens and becomes shiny. Avoid stirring too much.
- Step 5: Serve
- Place the pumpkin on a plate and drizzle syrup over it. Garnish with walnuts, tahini, pistachios, ice cream, or cream.
Golden Tips for Cooking Kabak Tatlısı
1- Don’t add too much sugar
Pumpkin itself has a natural sweetness, and too much sugar will make the dessert tough.
2- Low heat is the most important part of cooking
Your dessert should cook slowly so that it doesn’t get crushed, and high heat will crush the pumpkin.
3- Use a heavy or cast-iron pot
These types of pots caramelize the syrup better, and using a pot with a weak and thin coating will burn the pumpkin.
4- If the pumpkin is not sweet…
You can add 1-2 tablespoons of honey at the end of cooking, or use grape juice in it.
5- Flavorings are optional
Add cinnamon, vanilla, or cardamom only if you like.
Kabak Tatlısı Nutritional Properties and Value
Unlike many sweets, this dessert is relatively healthy and nutritious:
- Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, antioxidants, and fiber.
- The natural sweetness of pumpkin means that there is no need for much sugar.
- It is a good option for vegetarians (Vegan).
- Easy to digest and suitable for children and the elderly.
The difference between Kabak Tatlisi in different cities in Turkey
Just as most authentic dishes of a country have different versions in different cities, this Turkish dessert also changes depending on the region:
- Istanbul:
Sweeter, more delicate, and often served with tahini.
- Konya:
The amount of sugar is less, and it is usually decorated with plenty of walnuts.
- Trabzon:
The pumpkin is cut a little thicker and caramelized more.
- Southern Anatolia:
Some families add a little cinnamon or cloves when baking.
Types of Kabak Tatlısı
Classic (traditional version)
This is an old version of the dessert, which is a combination of pumpkin and sugar, which takes time and is exactly the recipe that Turkish grandmothers used to prepare in the past.
With tahini
It is one of the most popular versions today and a favorite of the new generations. Tahini on the dessert makes it more delicious and creamy.
Diet (sugar-free)
The original version uses sugar, but this version uses honey or grape juice and is more suitable for diabetics or dieters.
Baked in the oven
In the old versions, the pumpkin is cooked in a pot on the gas, but in this type, the pumpkin is baked in the oven with sugar and a little butter; it has more aroma and looks more beautiful.
Advantages and Benefits of Kabak Tatlisi
- Low-fat and light: Suitable for people looking for a healthy dessert.
- Rich in vitamin A: Excellent for the skin, eyes, and immune system.
- Easy to digest: Especially for children and the elderly.
- Suitable for vegetarians: Dairy and egg-free.
- Suitable for parties: Its beautiful and transparent appearance is very attractive.
Side effects of Kabak Tatlısı
- High sugar: For diabetics, it is better to use the sugar-free or low-sugar version.
- Over-softening: If it is cooked too much, its texture will be mushy.
- Drying of syrup: If the heat is too high, the syrup will burn quickly.
What to serve Kabak Tatlısı with?
- With tea or coffee
- With vanilla ice cream
- With thick tahini
- On pancakes or crepes
- With sponge cake
Conclusion:
Kabak Tatlısı is a simple, healthy, and very tasty dessert that has made its way from the heart of old Turkish homes to today’s tables. Despite its simple ingredients, it has a very special taste; the caramel aroma of pumpkin, its soft and shiny texture, and its combination with walnuts or tahini make for a truly enjoyable experience. Pumpkin dessert has many fans in the fall and winter seasons, and its medicinal properties are the best reason to consume it in the cold season. If you love healthy, inexpensive, and colorful desserts, Pumpkin Sweet is one of the best choices. At YummCook, we always try to teach you how to prepare dishes and desserts from the countries of the region in the simplest way and with the best tips.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kabak Tatlısı
1- What type of pumpkin is best for making Kabak Tatlısı?
Sweet, dense pumpkins with a deep orange color work best because they caramelize beautifully and require less sugar.
2- Why should the pumpkin rest with sugar for several hours?
Resting helps the pumpkin release its natural juices, allowing the sugar to dissolve and creating a richer, more flavorful syrup during cooking.
3- Can Kabak Tatlısı be made without sugar?
Yes. You can replace sugar with honey, grape molasses, or date syrup to make a healthier, diet-friendly version.
4- How do I prevent the pumpkin from getting mushy?
Cut the pumpkin into large pieces and cook it on low heat. Using a heavy-bottom or cast-iron pot also helps keep the shape intact.
5- What is the best topping for serving Kabak Tatlısı?
Traditionally, it’s served with chopped walnuts, but tahini, clotted cream, pistachios, or vanilla ice cream are also popular modern options.