Petite Pumpkin Borekas
Borekas are the Sephardic Jewish version of the turnover or empanada. Turkish in origin, the Sephardic Jews adopted these pastries as their own. I make borekas with homemade dough, the way my mom and my grandmother did, and bake them until crisp and golden. Once a year for Jewish New Year, I make smaller versions filled with cinnamon-scented pumpkin. The kids at the table think of them as mini pumpkin pies, and they can easily eat five.
Make these up to 1 month ahead and freeze in an airtight container. To reheat, defrost, and heat on a baking sheet in a 300º F oven for 10 minutes.
Filling:
1 (28 ounce) can pure pumpkin
1 and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/ 2 cup brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
Dough:
4 cups unbleached flour
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 cup safflower oil
1 cup ice water
Topping:
1 egg, beaten
1 cup sesame seeds
Stir filling ingredients together in a medium bowl. The filling should not be runny and should retain its shape if mounded.
To make dough, measure 4 cups flour into a medium mixing bowl. Add salt and blend. Whisk the oil and water together in a small bowl. Stir liquid into flour with a fork. Using your hands, gently gather the dough into a ball. Squeeze the dough together but do not knead it like bread.
Divide the dough into pieces a little larger then an unshelled walnut. Roll each piece in your hands to make a smooth ball. Place the ball on a wood or stone surface and using a rolling pin, flatten it out into an even circle about 3 inches in diameter. Do not flour or grease the countertop. Take care not to roll over edges of the circles, as this will thin out the edges.
I roll out 2 sets 24 at a time. This number fits onto a baking sheet perfectly if you make three columns of 8. After you have your first 24 circles, place a small teaspoon or so of filling in the center of each. Fold circles in half and seal edges of the resulting half moon shapes by pressing down and then by twisting them into a rope like edge. This signature edge (repulgo in Ladino, Judeo Spanish) takes a little practice. Alternatively, use the tines of a fork to seal the edges. Make sure no pumpkin is oozing out, or the borekas will leak when baking. Repeat the rolling and filling with the rest of the balls.
Brush the top of each boreka with beaten egg and dip it in sesame seeds. Place on the baking sheet. I use a silicone baking sheet liner for easy clean up.
Bake borekas at 400° F for 15 to 20 minutes or until light golden. Remove from the oven and place each one gently on a cooling rack.
Hi Linda-
you must know, you are an inspiration! since I started reading your blog about a week ago, I have made your borekas, needed to make a honey cake for our synagogue oneg, yours was the one I made and I was all done with all my baking for Saturday a Sephardic lunch with all the fixins, but noooo what shows up today pumpkin borekas! Haven’t ever made them and had a childhood memory–they are delicious!! Next time I make bulemas, I am going to try the kasseri cheese, that seemed to be the only difference. Thank you for the inspiration. I also think we may be related…….DeLeons, Alhadeffs all my relatives!! take care and have a sweet year. Leslie
Hi Leslie, Great!!! Iam related to the Alhadeffs, Touriels, My mother is a Chiprut and cousins with the Azose clan, My dad was a Rhodosli
http://www.theborekadiary.wordpress.com Linda L Sendowski linda@theglobaljewishkitchen.com 310-951-9419
these look so yummy! will try it.
Will definitely be making these in the very near future – the photos alone are making me yearn for some right this second!
Sounds great. I baked a whole pumpkin and I will use to make this tasty delicacy. I have some in our new cook book,PASI cooking. A project of The Persian Hebrew Congregation.
Bendichas Manos Linda, y Rosh HaShanah Dulce con Salud!
Mi Nona [del lado de mi papa] tambien es Alhadeff de Rodes!
La Nona [del lado de mi mama] me cantava “Numi Numi” por dormir.
Saves las palabras de Numi Numi? Mi adresso es Loverly422@gmail.com
Con Carino y amistad,
Doris Sarfaty
Me encanta Prasafuchi!
Hi Linda (and Leslie Huppin),
As I am getting ready to make pumpkin borekas for Rosh Hashanah, I looked up Linda’s recipe, and noticed Leslie’s comments from 10 years ago! Amazing that 23andMe has since confirmed we are all cousins (Leslie and I already knew we were cousins from the large Seattle Alhadeff family)! I love that these recipes connect us to each other, and to generations past! Our ancestors would be so pleased to see us carry on the Sephardic culinary tradition!
L’shanah Tovah!
Debbi
Debbi, I just want to wish you a L’shana Tova, G’mar Hatima Tova for this Rosh Hashanah. My bolg remodel is finally done and I do plan on occasionally posting this year. I am happy that you are part of my extended family tree. Linda