Squash Leche Flan

Leche flan is a favorite Filipino dessert. It's very popular around the country, thus in every occasion, it's always present along with other desserts offered at the tables. The usual process is to steam it over an open flame, although it's a rare process to bake it, somebody likes to do so, but whatever procedure you choose the outcome will still be a delicious and creamy custard dessert. 

Leche flan has a layer of soft caramel on top, and the very common version is made out of egg, milk and sugar. To put a bit of twist and make new variety of this popular dessert, we'll add an unusual ingredient to it. Ladies and gentlemen presenting, the squash!

Squash is one of the most abundant and cheapest vegetable in the Philippines, that's why it is perfect to be the main ingredient of this dessert. It is an excellent source of calcium which is good for our bones and teeth, vitamin A that's good for eyesight and vitamin B that boosts energy. 

Now is the time to give Leche flan a much healthier version and this Filipino recipe is recommended for mothers who's having a hard time giving their children a daily supply of vegetables. Instead of forcing them to eat a healthy but not appetizing vegetables, why don't we give them vegetables in a healthy sweets form? This way they will be asking for more, and that's good news for the both of you.

In preparing this delightful dessert, you will need the following:

    1 can condensed milk
    1/2 can evaporated milk
    6 pcs egg yolks
    1 cup pumpkin/squash cooked, mashed, and sifted
    1 tsp vanilla for flavoring or lemon essence
    1/2 cup sugar for the syrup
    1/2 cup water

Preparation:

We'll prepare the syrup first. Put the water and sugar together in a pan and stir until it boils, turning it to a golden brown in color. Pour the syrup and fill half of your molder. After making the syrup, we'll now work on the custard of the flan.

Separate the egg white from the egg yolk in a bowl, do this by using the cracked eggshell, alternately transferring the yolk from the first half to the other until the white separates from the yolk. Don't waste the egg whites, you can fry it or use it on other recipes using eggs, click here for more ideas.

Mix the egg yolks together with the evaporated and condensed milk, squash and vanilla using a blender, if you don't have one then just do it by thoroughly mixing the ingredients in a bowl. Pour the custard mix into your molder together with the syrup that you prepared earlier, then cover it with foil. Steam it for about 20 minutes, or until the the custard is cooked. Let it cool and refrigerate. Put it in a platter, serve and enjoy.

It's just the same as the procedure for a making the traditional version of Leche flan, the only difference is having the dessert a healthier side. It is now easier for the kids to eat a nutritious food when it is on their favorite dessert's form. Another simple and affordable recipe to make yet it can give you lots of benefits.

What other ingredients can you add to give Leche flan a new variety? Please share your expertise.