I'm back in school and taking Arizona History. I had to do some research and stumbled upon this recipe yesterday! I can't wait to try it.
All of this is a quote from:
http://www.frugal-cafe.com/kit...
and the recipe is from Betty Fussell's amazing cookbook of old-time recipes,
I Hear America Cooking
Early American cooks discovered many other delicious, unique ways to serve pumpkin... including pumpkin candy.
The pumpkin candy recipe below is easy, but rather time-consuming to make. From start to finish, the candy making process takes a couple of days, although most of that time is spent with the pumpkin softening in lemon juice. When selecting pumpkins for cooking, be sure to purchase sweet pumpkins, which are typically smaller and sweeter for eating than those bought for carving into jack-o'-lanterns. The larger, less sweet ones can be used in cooking, but the flavor will be better with sweet pumpkins.
The following recipe is from Betty Fussell's amazing cookbook of old-time recipes, I Hear America Cooking:
A uniquely American sweet is one made from fresh pumpkin chips. The Indians would cut a pumpkin or squash into two-by-four-inch strips, then soften the strips in a bath of woodashes or lye. Finally, they would boil the strips in sugary syrup, sometimes flavored with cilantro, until the syrup was clear and the chips brittle. Easier probably for the city cook is a device recommended by Eliza Leslie in her Directions for Cookery (1837), in which lemon juice helps to soften the chips and counteract the sweetness of the sugar.
Pumpkin Candy
• 1-1/2 pounds uncooked pumpkin meat (from a 3- or 4-lb pumpkin)
• 2 c. sugar
• Thinly pared rind of 3 lemons
• 1 c. fresh lemon juice
Cut meat into uniform strips, 4 by 2 inches and 1/4 inch thick. Put the strips in a bowl and sprinkle with the sugar.
Cut the lemon rind into narrow strips. Add to the pumpkin and pour lemon juice over all. Let the mixture stand at least 12 hours or overnight.
Put the mixture in a covered saucepan, bring to a simmer, and simmer gently until the pumpkin becomes translucent but is still firm, about 1 hour.
Remove strips with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Let them dry for 12 hours or overnight. Roll them in granulated sugar or eat them plain. You can also cover them with the syrip and store, refrigerated, where they will keep several weeks.
Makes 3 cups.
From:
http://www.frugal-cafe.com/kit...
Whoever tries making it first. let the rest of us know how it turns out. 
