Pelliscos De Tamarindo Acapulqueño Food

AGUA DE TAMARINDO

Steps:

• Bring 1 quart of water to a boil then add the pods and the sugar and stir continuously while the mixture boils for one minute. Pour into a glass or stainless steel bowl and steep for about 2 hours. This time may be as little as 1 hour for very fresh pods and 2 1/2 hours for older pods.
• Use your hand or a spoon and break up the softened pods to free the pulp and the seeds.
• To finish:.
• Strain the mixture through a sieve pressing on the pod solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Taste for strength and sweetness. If it is too potent, add water or if too tart add more sugar. Cover and refrigerate until time to serve. Stir before serving.

PELLISCOS DE TAMARINDO ACAPULQUEñO

Steps:

• Remove the outer hard shell from the tamarind pods and remove the strings that are attached to it. Put the cleaned tamarinds and the water in a medium saucepan. Combine the sugar and citric acid in a small bowl, then add to the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved, the mixture is thick, and you can see the bottom of the pot when scraped with a spoon, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit until cool enough to handle.
• FOR THE SPICY TAMARINDS, combine the sugar, chile powders, and salt and knead into the tamarind mixture as if you were making bread. Roll into golf ball-size balls, then wrap each ball in clear cellophane and store in an airtight container.
• FOR THE SWEET TAMARINDS, combine 3/4 cup of the sugar with the salt and knead into the tamarind mixture as if you were making bread. Roll into golf ball-size balls, roll in the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, then wrap each ball in clear cellophane and store in an airtight container.
• Another idea is to peel the tamarinds, leaving them whole, then add to a saucepan with 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar. Place over medium heat to dissolve the sugar, and simmer until they are just soft, about 12 minutes. Let dry on a wire rack, then roll in sugar and allow to set. It's quick and lovely.