Pumpkin Pickles

From SF Chronicle, Jacqueline Higuera McMahan

Yields about 1 quart

No one expects a pickle from a pumpkin. The pumpkin cubes absorb all the cinnamon and cloves from the syrup and make a great accompaniment to turkey and pork. Place in a beautiful glass jar for a gift. You can layer slices of pumpkin pickle into an impressive turkey sandwich and no one will guess your mystery ingredient.

* 1 pumpkin, at least 1 1/2 pounds 1 1/2 cups sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
* 4-inch-long cinnamon stick, broken in pieces
* 4 cloves
* Four 2-inch-wide strips lemon peel
* 1 small dried chile (arbol), optional

Instructions: Slice the top off the pumpkin. Cut into wedges so it will be easier to handle. Using a paring knife, remove inner fibers and seeds and discard. Use a potato peeler to remove the pumpkin's skin and then cut the pumpkin into 11/2-inch cubes.

Combine the sugar, salt, apple cider vinegar, 2 cups water, cinnamon, cloves, lemon peel and chile and simmer for 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Add the pumpkin cubes and simmer until tender, about 18 minutes. Check with a fork to make sure they are just tender enough to be easily speared. Remove the pumpkin cubes to a glass bowl and continue to simmer the liquid until it is reduced and syrupy. Be careful, as it can turn to caramel very quickly. You want the syrup to just coat a spoon. Cool it down for 15 minutes and then pour over the pumpkin cubes. Cover and refrigerate at least 24 hours before using. Place in a pretty glass jar to give pumpkin pickles as a gift. They will keep for a month, but should be refrigerated at all times.