Hawaij Pumpkin Patties

Bimuelos de Kalavasa are golden pumpkin patties, crisp outside and soft inside, warmly spiced with cinnamon, coriander and allspice. Serve with a drizzle of honey, maple or date syrup and a scattering of chopped nuts.

The Stuff:

• 1 ½ Cups all-purpose or 1:1 gluten-free flour
• 1 Tablepoon Never Not Eating Hawaij
• 3 Eggs, beaten
• ¼ Cup maple syrup
• 1 (15-ounce) Can pumpkin (about 1 ¾ cups)
• Neutral vegetable oil, for frying (sunflower or avocado are good choices)

To serve:

• Honey, date syrup (silan), maple syrup and/or powdered sugar
• Chopped walnuts or pecans

The Method:

1. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, Never Not Eating Hawaij and salt. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the eggs, maple syrup and pumpkin until well blended and smooth. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and whisk or mix well until smooth.
2. Heat about 1/4 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. The oil is ready when a drop of water spatters in it.
3. Add a very full tablespoon (about 1/8 cup), or less to make mini appetiser-sized patties, of the batter to the hot oil. With the back of the spoon, slightly flatten and spread each patty into a circle as you add it. Cook about 3 minutes per side, flipping only once, until each patty is a deep golden brown. The patties will be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Drain well on doubled paper towels or on top of a wire cooling rack placed on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet (cut open brown paper bags work, too).
4. To serve, drizzle with warm honey, maple or date syrup, or sprinkle with powdered sugar, then add chopped nuts, if desired. These are best when served immediately, but the cooked patties can be kept warm in a 200°F oven on top of wire cooling racks placed on a baking sheet for up to 40 minutes.

Notes:

• To refrigerate or freeze, put cooked patties in an airtight container with layers separated by parchment paper. Can be refrigerated for four days or frozen for up to a month.
• To reheat, defrost slightly, just enough to separate patties. Place directly on a parchment-lined baking sheet or on top of wire cooling racks placed on a baking sheet. Heat in 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes.
• 1/4 Cup granulated sugar can be used instead of maple syrup.
• Date syrup (aka silan) is available at Middle Eastern and some kosher markets.
• These are best when served immediately, but the cooked patties can be kept warm in a 200°F oven on top of wire cooling racks placed on a baking sheet for up to 40 minutes.