The tejocote is a fruit native to Mexico, also known in some places as manzanita or manzana de la India for its shape similar to that of an apple. It has a peculiar sweet and sour taste and also has a very attractive specific smell.
The word “tejocote” comes from the Nahuatl word “t exocotl” which means “acid and hard fruit”. Currently, this unique fruit is linked to the Day of the Dead festivities to decorate altars or Christmas as the main ingredient in fruit punch. It is one of the favorite recipes for the autumn season because it is one of the most traditional desserts. In addition, it is a recipe with few ingredients, very simple to prepare and, above all, very tasty. Read on and learn how to make dulce de tejocote to serve on Day of the Dead or Christmas.
Ingredients to make Sweet Tejocote:
- 500 grams of hawthorn
- 1½ cups of sugar (300 grams)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 liter of water
How to make Sweet Tejocote:
- To start the sweet hawthorn recipe, wash the hawthorns very well. Then, bring water to a boil in a pot and, when it is boiling, add the tejocotes and let them boil for only 3 minutes.
- After 3 minutes, place the tejocotes in a container with cold water.
- You will notice that they wrinkle a bit and this will be the perfect time to start peeling them.
- Trick: many people make sweet hawthorn with guava, in this case, you only have to add the desired amount of fruit (also peeled).
- Bring 1 liter of water to a boil in another pot, add the sugar, the cinnamon stick, the teaspoon of vanilla and the previously peeled tejocotes and cook over medium heat for 40 minutes.
- Stir constantly so that the sweet tejocote does not burn.
- After the cooking time is over, let the preparation cool and rest for 2 hours so that the flavors settle.
- Trick: if you prefer, you can make the sweet hawthorn with piloncillo instead of sugar.
- When it has cooled, you can serve and enjoy this delicious dessert.
- Present your tejocote sweet on the table on the Day of the Dead or Christmas and offer an exquisite and economical dessert at the same time.
