Step 1 of 6
Picarones
Put the squash, sweet potato, star anise and cinnamon in a saucepan with 1 litre of water and simmer 20 minutes until very soft. Drain, keeping the water, and discard the spices. Let the cooking water cool to lukewarm.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Picarones take?
3 hr 30 min all in — 40 min prep, 50 min cook, 2 hr rest. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 6 plates. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
A bit of work.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Wheat. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-free, Nut-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
Cheap night — about Under $8 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Saucepan, Mixing bowl, Dutch oven, Spider or strainer.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 1 pinch.
How much sugar?
2 tbsp of Sugar.
What can I use instead?
Chancaca → 200 g dark muscovado and 1 tbsp molasses. Close in colour and depth, a little sweeter. Butternut squash → Pumpkin or kabocha. Any dense, dry orange squash works. Watery ones make a slack dough.
What should I watch for?
Boiling sugar burns badly. Keep children and elbows away. Use a deep pot no more than a third full of oil, and shake the water off your hand before it goes near the oil.
Any tips from this recipe?
Dipping your hand in salted water before each one is what makes the dough possible to shape at all. Leftover dough keeps in the fridge overnight. Give it an hour at room temperature before frying.
Can I prepare this ahead?
Leftover dough keeps in the fridge overnight. Give it an hour at room temperature before frying.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.