CRYSTAL PUMPKIN
Antakya Pumpkin Dessert
ALCHEMY
The fate of an ordinary pumpkin changes in a pool filled with quicklime. The lime "crystallizes" the pumpkin's outer surface while trapping the water inside. This process is a balancing act. Too little lime causes it to melt; too much causes it to "burn." The mastery in making Antakya Pumpkin Dessert lies in taming this tough ingredient.
RITUAL
The crystalline pieces on top of the pumpkin, shimmering in sugar syrup, are very sweet on their own. To balance this sharpness, plenty of tahini is drizzled over it and coarsely chopped walnuts are sprinkled on top. The sesame oil of the tahini and the earthy texture of the walnuts complete the dessert with the finishing touch.
TEXTURE
The secret of this dessert lies in its contradiction. When you pierce it with your fork, you hear the sound of thin glass breaking. The outside is crystal clear and crunchy; yet the inside is a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth Turkish delight. This contrast between firmness and softness surprises the palate.