These sweet and creamy Pumpkin Fritters (Tortitas de Calabaza) are prepared with West Indian Pumpkin (Caribbean Pumpkin). In Puerto Rico, they are also called Barriguitas de Vieja – which means old ladies bellies.
The Taíno Indians cultivated the West Indian Pumpkins in Puerto Rico. The Spanish term for the Caribbean Pumpkin is “Calabaza.” The West Indian Pumpkins are sold whole or in wedges at the Latin Markets. You can also use butternut squash for this recipe if you are unable to purchase the West Indian Pumpkin.
For this recipe, I will be using my very own homegrown West Indian Pumpkin (Caribbean Pumpkin) from Aida’s Garden in the Midwest.
Describing the West Indian Pumpkin (Caribbean Pumpkin)!
This is a West Indian Pumpkin. The West Indian Pumpkin is a round or oblong squash that is popular in the Caribbean, Central and South America. The color of the skin can vary and can include green, orange and tan hues and the size may be small or large.
This is a West Indian Pumpkin wedge. The flesh is firm and bright orange with a sweet flavor similar to butternut squash.
Cutting and Peeling West Indian Pumpkin Wedges!
Remove the strings and seeds with a knife or spoon.
Insert a knife between the skin and flesh and peel the pumpkin wedge.
Cut 4 to 5 pumpkin wedges in halves.
Steaming and Mashing the Pumpkin Wedges to Make Pumpkin Fritters!
Fill the bottom of the saucepan with sufficient water and insert steamer basket. Place the pumpkin wedges into steamer basket. Cover with lid and steam for 30 minutes or until fork tender.
After 30 minutes of steaming, check the pumpkin wedges for tenderness with a fork.
Place the steamed pumpkin wedges into a bowl.
Mash the pumpkin wedges with a potato masher. Continue this process for the remaining pumpkin wedges.
The mashed pumpkin wedges should be creamy with a bright orange color. You will need 2 cups of mashed pumpkin.
Mixing the Ingredients for the Pumpkin Fritters Batter!
Add ½ cup of all purpose flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ½ teaspoon lite salt into a bowl. Mix all the dry ingredients until well blended.
Add two cups of mashed pumpkin and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
Stir all ingredients until a batter is form.
Frying the Pumpkin Batter!
In a large skillet, heat 1 cup of oil to 365°F. Carefully add pumpkin batter by tablespoonfuls into skillet.
Fry until golden brown on one side. After 4 minutes of frying, turn pumpkin fritters to the other side.
Continue frying until golden brown on both sides – approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove from skillet and place on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excessive oil.
Serving the Pumpkin Fritters!
Serve warm with your favorite hot or cold beverage.
Click on the button below to watch my YouTube video on How to Make Pumpkin Fritters!
Recipe and Nutritional Facts
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. Please refer to our Nutritional Facts Disclaimer for more information.
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Pumpkin Fritters
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 40 Minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 Pumpkin Fritters 1x
Description
These sweet and creamy pumpkin fritters are prepared with Caribbean pumpkins.
Ingredients
- 2 cups mashed West Indian Pumpkin
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt (low sodium)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup canola oil for frying
Instructions
- Cut, peel, steam and mash 4 to 5 pumpkin wedges.
- In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, cinnamon and brown sugar until well blended.
- Add the vanilla extract and mashed pumpkin.
- Stir all the ingredients until a batter is formed.
- Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet to 365°F.
- Add pumpkin batter by tablespoonfuls into skillet.
- Fry until golden brown on both sides.
- Place on a plate and always serve warm.
Notes
You can add granulated sugar instead of the brown sugar if you so desire. If you are unable to purchase the West Indian Pumpkin, you can use Butternut Squash as a substitute.
If you are using canned pumpkin or frozen packaged pumpkin, the total time will be only 15 minutes.
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Keywords: Pumpkin Fritters, Tortitas de Calabaza, Barriguitas de Vieja
4 Comments. Leave new
Mmmmm barriguitas de vieja. My grandma used to make them. Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Maria, You are welcome!
My dad used to make these he’s from Trinidad and im in America so unfortunately im forced to use butternut squash but they r delicious takes me back to my childhood instantly thank u so much
Hi Megan, Yes, these pumpkin fritters bring back many memories for those individuals that were raised with Caribbean (West Indian) pumpkins. They are delicious.