Sweet and Savory Autumn Squash Pancakes (Neulkeun Hobakjeon)
Sweet and Savory Autumn Squash Pancakes (Neulkeun Hobakjeon)
Autumn Delicacy: Neulkeun Hobakjeon (Old Pumpkin Pancakes) – A Delicious Recipe for Seasonal Fall Produce
Embrace the abundant autumn season with a delightful dish made from old pumpkins, readily available at markets and grocery stores! I’ll share a detailed recipe for Neulkeun Hobakjeon, a beloved fall treat that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients- 500g old pumpkin (neulkeun hobak)
- Pinch of salt
- Pancake mix (or all-purpose flour) as needed
- 2-5 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gather your ingredients for the Neulkeun Hobakjeon. Purchasing a whole pumpkin is often more economical than buying pre-shredded pumpkin. While shredded pumpkin might cost around 2,000-3,000 KRW, a whole pumpkin usually costs only about 3,000-5,000 KRW, making it a better value.
Step 2
Old pumpkins are quite large and dense, so handle them with care. Cut the pumpkin in half. Be cautious as it can be heavy and difficult to manage alone.
Step 3
Once halved, carefully scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp from the inside of the pumpkin. A spoon or a ladle works well for this.
Step 4
After removing the insides, cut the pumpkin into manageable pieces. It’s much easier to process if you cut it into smaller, workable chunks rather than trying to handle the whole halves.
Step 5
Cut the pumpkin pieces into a size that’s convenient for shredding or grating. Slicing them into thinner, manageable portions will make the preparation smoother.
Step 6
Now it’s time to peel the pumpkin. The rind is very tough and thick, so be extremely careful not to cut yourself. A helpful tip is to lightly blanch the pumpkin in boiling water before peeling; this makes the skin much easier to remove. (In this recipe, we proceeded without blanching, but caution is advised).
Step 7
Take the amount of prepared pumpkin you’ll need for the recipe. For this recipe, we’ll grate about 2 pieces and shred about 3 pieces. Feel free to adjust the quantities based on how much you want to make.
Step 8
While grating the pumpkin isn’t strictly mandatory, it adds a richer flavor and a smoother texture to the pancakes. Including grated pumpkin enhances the natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
Step 9
Ask a strong family member to help with the grating! (I asked my brother-in-law for assistance.) For the remaining pumpkin, slice it into thin julienne strips. Aim for a thickness similar to shredded radish (mu saengchae) – not too thin, not too thick. Don’t worry if the strips aren’t perfectly uniform.
Step 10
In a bowl, combine the shredded pumpkin with 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Mix well and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. The sugar helps to maximize the pumpkin’s natural sweetness; you can even add up to 4-5 tablespoons if you prefer it sweeter. While it can be made without sugar, adding it significantly enhances the flavor, so it’s highly recommended!
Step 11
For the grated pumpkin, use the pulp mostly, without squeezing out all the liquid. A little moisture can help with the batter consistency.
Step 12
Add the grated pumpkin to the bowl with the shredded pumpkin. Gradually add pancake mix (or all-purpose flour) to achieve the desired batter consistency. Do NOT add water, as the pumpkin will release moisture as it cooks, potentially making the batter too thin. Aim for a thick batter. Since the ratio of grated to shredded pumpkin varies, the exact amount of flour is hard to specify, but add it gradually until the batter is thick and holds its shape.
Step 13
Heat a generous amount of oil in a non-stick pan over medium-low to medium heat. Ladle about a spoonful of the batter onto the pan and spread it thinly. Cook until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
Step 14
Look at the beautiful golden-brown color of these freshly made Neulkeun Hobakjeon! They are wonderfully sweet and have a delightful texture. If you’ve only ever had pumpkin porridge, you’re missing out on the deliciousness of pumpkin pancakes! Try this recipe to experience the true taste of autumn.
