Macaroon derives from the French “macaron”, which itself is derivative of the Italian “maccherone” that means “fine dough”.  Macaroons are a popular confection worldwide and they can be eaten with any meal, for any occasion.  The word macaroon is applied to a variety of light, baked confections, described as either small cakes or meringue-like cookies depending on their consistency.  The original macaroon was a “small sweet cake consisting largely of ground almonds” similar to Italian amaretti.

Macaroons are commonly baked on edible rice paper placed on a baking tray.  It  classically made of almond paste or ground almonds (or both) mixed with sugar and egg whites. Almond macaroons can be chewy, crunchy or a combined texture with the outside crisp and the inside chewy. There is also a coconut macaroon, which substitutes coconut for the almonds.

Today, Macaroons can be flavored with various ingredients such as chocolate, maraschino cherries or orange pee  and is typically cream-filled.  In this recipe, we try to create another variation.  Squash was added to made a delicious and nutritious macaroons.  A good business to start at home.

Materials:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 eggs
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 pack dessicated coconut
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 3/4 cup grated squash

Procedure:

1. Cream the butter until light and fluffy.
2. Add the sugar gradually while stirring.
3. Add eggs one by one, constantly stirring after adding each egg.
4. Add the condensed milk.
5. Add the dessicated coconut, squash, vanilla, and mix well.
6. Put in muffin molds lined with paper or aluminum foil.
7. Cook in oven at 350 oC for half an hour.

Source: dost.gov.ph