Vegetarian Syrian Pumpkin Patties - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup fine bulgur
warm water, for soaking
2 cups mashed cooked pumpkin (about 2 1/2 pounds raw) or 16 ounces pure-pack canned pumpkin
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup water
1 medium onion, chopped
3 -4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon grated black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 pinch cayenne
olive oil or vegetable oil (for frying)

Preparation

Soak the bulgur in warm water for 20 minutes.
Drain.
Transfer the bulgur to a food processor with the remaining ingredients except the oil and puree.
If the mixture is too thin, add a little more flour.
Shape into patties about 2-inches long, 1-inch wide, and 1/2-inch thick.
Heat 1/8-inch oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Fry the patties, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
HINT; To cook fresh pumpkin, cut it into eighths, place in a large pot of lightly salted water, cover, and simmer over low heat until tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain, cut off the peel, and mash.
Gently press in a strainer to remove the excess liquid.
VARIATIONS: Fritadas de Calabaza (Sephardic Pumpkin Patties): This batter will be looser than the bulgur version, and is dropped from a spoon.
Omit the bulgur, 1/2 cup water, onion, garlic, coriander, pepper, allspice, cumin, and cayenne.
Add 3 large eggs and 2 to 8 tablespoons granulated or brown sugar.
If desired, also add 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and a pinch of ground ginger.
Kibbet Yatkeen bi Seniyeh (Syrian Baked Pumpkin Casserole): Spread the pumpkin mixture into an oiled 9-inch-square baking pan.
Cut into diamonds or 1 1/2-inch squares.
Drizzle with 1/4 cup vegetable oil.
Bake in a 400-degree oven until golden brown.