Bilharacos/ Belhoses

Bilharacos/ Belhoses (Portuguese)>>

This recipe is typical of Christmas. Known is the Aveiro region as Bilharacos it is  known in other regions as well by other names such as Belhoses.

Ingredients:

• 3 Eggs
• 250 gr Sugar
• 1 Pumpkin
• 1 shot of Aguardente (Brandy or Rum will do just as well)
• 1 handful of salt
• 200 gr Flour (or more, as needed to reach proper consistency)
• Cinnamon and sugar to roll Bilharacos, after frying

STEPS:

1. Cut the pumpkin into strips and peel
2. Cut the pumpkin into roughly 1 inch cubes
3. Boil the pumpkin with a handful of salt
4. Drain the pumpkin well (ideally overnight)
5. Use a blender to turn pumpkin into paste then mix in the eggs, the sugar and add 1 shot of aguardente
6. Add flour while mixing until desired consistency is reached (still a little bit runny)]
7. Spoon portions into a fryer and fry until golden on both sides
8. After removing from fryer and draining excess oil roll in a mix of sugar and cinnamon

Note: It can be prepared the same basic way but adding a bit of baker’s yeast dissolved in warm water before adding the flour. Then let it rise.