Frittelle di Zucca Zala Venetian Pumpkin Fritters Pumpkin or the sweeter Butternut Squash turned into fritter batter and deep-fried makes a wonderfully delicious dessert. They are especially popular among Venetian Jews during the holiday of Hannuka (the Festival of Lights) during which time it is traditional to eat fried foods to commemorate the Miracle of the Oil which burned for eight days and eight nights during the rededication of the Temple. Serve them hot with a dusting of Confectioner's Sugar. 1 1/4 lbs Butternut Squash OR Pumpkin 2 cups whole Milk 1 1/2 cups all-purpose Flour 2 tsps Baking Soda dissolved in 2 tsps of cold Water 2 Eggs 1/4 tsp Salt 2/3 cup plain granulated Sugar 2 Tbls Orange Zest 1/2 cup Golden Raisins 1/2 cup Pine Nuts (lightly toasted) additional Milk if necessary Peanut Oil Confectioner's Sugar for dusting 1. Peel Squash, remove seed, cut flesh into 1/2" dice. 2. Place diced Squash and Milk in a 2 qt. saucepan 3. Place over medium heat, bring to a simmer, cook for 30 minutes,           stirring occasionally until squash softens and starts to turn to mush.           [Do not worry if it appears curdled, it will smooth out] 4. After 30 minutes, stir in the flour,           Continue cooking, stirring constantly for 5 minutes. 5. Beat in the dissolved Baking Soda and the Eggs one-by-one. 6. Add the Salt, granulated Sugar, Orange Zest, Raisins & Pine Nuts.           Stir once, remove from heat, let stand for 15 minutes.           [Mixture will be the consistancy of thick sour cream]           [If necessary, add a few Tbls of Milk] 7. In a deep pot, add Peanut Oil to a depth of 3".           Heat Oil to 375º - 380º F. 8. Drop 1" diameter teaspoonsful of the batter into the oil.           Fry until golden, about 3 - 5 minutes.                     [do not make them larger than 1" in diameter                     or the inside will not cook completely] 9. With a slotted spoon, remove the cooked fritters from the Oil.           Place on paper towels to drain. 10. When all of the fritters are done, dust them with Confectioner's Sugar.           Serve immediately.