Cabell d'Ã ngel
The Cabell d' àngel [ kaβɛʎ daɲʒəɫ ] ( Catalan for ' angel hair ', in Spanish Cabello de ángel or dulce de calabaza ) is a dessert which is made from the fibers of some special caramelized pumpkin species. It is eaten on Mallorca, Spain and some Latin American countries. In Costa Rica has traditionally been in the Easter week, the similar Dulce de chiverre prepared.
Production
Depending on the country and region different pumpkins are used for the production. For example, the giant pumpkin ( Cucurbita maxima, a variant of Hokkaido squash), the fig leaf gourd ( Cucurbita ficifolia ), or chayote ( Sechium edule ) are used. From this list, is the Pumpkin Curcubita maxima Duechesne, which is called in Catalan as already carabassa confitada (, pumpkin jam ') or carabassa de cabell d' àngel (, pumpkin for angel hair '), emphasized. This is a pumpkin, which matures in winter, and much sweeter than the summer version. Its flesh is very juicy and fibrous, the shell is, however, very thick and solid. This allows for long storage under favorable conditions. The pumpkin seeds are in the center.
The mature as possible pumpkin is first freed from the shell. He is gutted and the meat is cut into pieces and then boiled. Then the pieces with your hands are long pressed and processed to loosen the threads and fibers. The pieces are cooked again. The fibers thus obtained are then mixed with the same amount of sugar, with lemon peel or cinnamon and a little water and heated until a syrupy mass forms ( caramelizing ) and the fibers are soft. The final product has a golden color " like angel hair."
Today, you can buy Cabell d' àngel ready to eat canned in Spanish or American supermarkets.
Use
The Cabell d' àngel is mainly used for the filling of pies and cakes. It can be flavored with cinnamon or lemon. Other sweets are filled with this product, such as biscuits. Other desserts that can be prepared with Cabell d' àngel are flans, puddings, jams and marmalades. It is added to many jams domesticated prepared to vary their taste and also to stretch it. It can also be eaten without further preparation.