We're here to introduce you to sopaipillas, a Chilean fried pastry that's a delightful combination of crispy and tender textures.

This versatile dish can be enjoyed sweet or savory, making it a perfect treat for all occasions. Let's dive into this step-by-step recipe and create these golden beauties together.

<h3>Making the Dough</h3>

To start, we roast a medium butternut squash to enhance its natural sweetness. Once roasted, the squash is blended into a smooth purée. Combining this purée with flour, baking powder, and warm melted shortening forms the base of our dough. We knead the mixture gently, adding water gradually until it transforms into a firm yet pliable dough. After a short rest, the dough is rolled out, cut into rounds, and pricked to ensure even frying.

<h3>Frying the Perfect Sopaipillas</h3>

Heating up oil to 350°F, we carefully fry the sopaipilla rounds in small batches, flipping them until golden brown on both sides. Once cooked, they're transferred to a rack to drain any excess oil. The result? Perfectly crisp sopaipillas ready to be customized to your liking.

<h3>Sweeten It Up: Sopaipillas Pasadas</h3>

For a sweeter version, we prepare a syrup using chancaca, orange peel, cinnamon, and cloves, thickened with a cornstarch slurry. The fried sopaipillas soak in this fragrant syrup, absorbing the rich flavors. Depending on personal preference, you can choose how long to soak them—just a few minutes for a light touch or longer for a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

<h3>Add Some Zing: Sopaipillas with Pebre</h3>

For a savory twist, we create a fresh pebre, a Chilean salsa made with ripe tomatoes, onion, cilantro, garlic, and a hint of spice. The tangy pebre complements the crispy sopaipillas, making it an excellent appetizer or snack.

<h3>Tips for Success</h3>

When rolling the dough, aim for an even thickness to ensure uniform frying. Use a sturdy cutter to shape the rounds, and keep an eye on the oil temperature to maintain the perfect crispness. For the syrup, experimenting with the soaking time lets you find your ideal balance of texture and flavor.

<h3>A Taste of Chile</h3>

Whether you enjoy them sweet or savory, sopaipillas are a celebration of Chilean culinary traditions. By combining the warm, earthy notes of butternut squash with either a vibrant salsa or luscious syrup, we can explore a whole world of flavors. Gather your ingredients and try this recipe—we guarantee it'll bring joy to your kitchen!