Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin pancakes, or repa di pampuna, are made all over the island and every family has their own recipe. I ate my first pumpkin pancake years ago at a beachside foodtruck at Playa Lagun and I was immediately hooked to these sweet and savory fluffy pancakes. Another popular place to try them is at Plasa Bieu (the old market) in Punda. While you’re there make sure to taste some of the other staple dishes of the island, like our famous goat stew (kabritu stobá), beef stew (karni stobá) or okra soup (yuambo).

For those of you who’d like to make pumpkin pancakes at home, I have created my own version with some flavorful dried spices for extra tang. Feel free to mix in a handful of raisins if you like. Enjoy!

Makes 16 Pumpkin Pancakes

Ingredients:

1½cups (350ml) whole milk

2 cups (450g) fresh pumpkin, peeled and diced

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 egg

2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted

2 tablespoons white vinegar

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour, sifted

5 tablespoons (60g) light brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 teaspoons ground allspice

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon salt

butter, for frying

To serve:

honey

icing sugar

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Toss the pumpkin and olive oil together. Spread out on a baking sheet and bake in the middle of the oven for 40 to 45 minutes or until soft. Transfer to the bowl of a food processor and process into a smooth purée. Let cool.

In a bowl, mix together the pumpkin puree, milk, egg, coconut oil and vinegar. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt. Add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture and fold briefly until combined.

Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Melt a little butter and add scoops of the batter to the pan, about ¼ cup (60ml) per scoop. Bake for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden. Keep warm under a kitchen towel while you make the rest of the pancakes.

Serve immediately with honey and icing sugar.

Big fan of pancakes? Give these sweet potato pancakes a try.