Fried Pumpkin w/ Vanilla Sugar Glaze

Oh heck, lets add some chocolate! This was a successful dessert that the bf surprised me with (due to the recent pumpkin obsession)...and it was perfectly fried and cooked through! I've never had fried pumpkin until now, and I must say....I might start looking like Paula Deen, but I could eat fried pumpkin for the rest of my life.

Serves 2.

Ingredients

• Pumpkin, cut into approximately 3cm cubes (as close as you can get it)
• Egg wash
• 1 part Panko bread crumbs
• 1 part all purpose flour
• 1/4 part powdered sugar
• 2-3 tsp freshly grated nutmeg (always freshly grate your nutmeg!)
• 2-3 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2-3 tsp ground mace
• 2-3 tsp ground clove
• 2-3 tsp allspice
• 1-2 tsp ground fennel (optional)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• an additional 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions

1. Prepare a large deep fryer on slightly more than medium heat.
2. Take all the dry ingredients (everything from the Panko to the fennel, inclusive) and thoroughly mix together in a large bowl and then spread out onto a large plate.
3. Take the pumpkin pieces (making sure they are room temperature to start) and place them in the egg wash, coating all surfaces. Dredge through the flour mixture until coated, and then place in the egg wash again, and dredge one more time (this makes for an extra crispy crust).
4. Once the oil is hot, add the pieces in, just a few at a time (the more oil you have the more you can do at a time - they key is to make sure the oil doesn't get too cold from adding in too many pieces).
5. Remove, letting the oil drain, and set aside on a paper towel covered plate.
6. In a small bowl add the sour cream, sugar, and vanilla and beat until thoroughly incorporated and smooth.
7. Plate the pumpkin, adding a piece of chocolate if you like, and drizzle with the sour cream mixture.
8. Bon ap!

The vanilla sugar glaze is a must here!