Pumpkin Pancakes (Curaçaoan Repa di Pampuna)

Loosely translated, these are pumpkin pancakes. These aren’t to be confused with the Latin American arepas, which are similar to tortillas, and more often savoury. Arepa di Pampuna has Dutch origins, they’re almost like poffertjes! These pancakes are great doused in powdered sugar, honey, caramel, chocolate sauce, berries, alone, or with everything!

4 cups pumpkin, mashed
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups evaporated milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour, unbleached, sifted
½ cup sugar
½ tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp. baking powder
½ cup raisins

Cut pumpkin lengthwise in four. Remove hard skin, seeds and stringy portion. Cut portions in two. Do not remove hard skin. Boil in a large pot until tender. Let cool, now, remove skin, mash and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients, flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon and baking powder.

In another bowl, beat eggs, add milk, vanilla and mashed pumpkin. Stir till batter gets creamy. Fold mixed dry ingredients gradually to the batter. Add raisins and finish stirring.

On a hot, oiled griddle, drop about 3 spoonsfull of batter, cook till golden brown on both sides.

Serve with honey or condiment of your choice.