Mexican Sweet Fruit and Nut Stew (Ponche Navideño)
A warm, spiced holiday punch traditionally served during Las Posadas and Christmas in Mexico. Packed with seasonal fruits, nuts, and aromatic spices, it’s like a hug in a mug!
🍎 Traditional Ponche Navideño Recipe
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 30–40 mins | Serves: 8–10
Ingredients:
Fruits & Nuts:
-
2 apples (quartered, skin on)
-
2 pears (quartered, skin on)
-
1 cup tejocotes (Mexican hawthorn, or sub with crab apples)
-
1 guava (quartered)
-
½ cup caña de azúcar (sugarcane chunks, or sub with 1 cinnamon stick + 1 tbsp brown sugar)
-
½ cup prunes or dried figs
-
¼ cup raisins
-
¼ cup almonds or pecans (optional)
Spices & Liquid:
-
8 cups water
-
1 piloncillo (or ½ cup brown sugar)
-
2 cinnamon sticks
-
4 whole cloves
-
1 star anise (optional)
-
1-inch piece ginger (sliced)
-
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
For Serving:
-
A splash of rum or brandy (for adults, optional)
-
A slice of panela cheese (for a sweet-salty bite!)
🔥 Instructions:
-
Simmer Spices: In a large pot, bring water, piloncillo, cinnamon, cloves, star anise, and ginger to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 mins.
-
Add Hard Fruits: Add apples, pears, tejocotes, and sugarcane. Simmer 15 mins.
-
Add Soft Fruits: Add guava, prunes, and raisins. Simmer 5–10 mins until fruits are tender but not mushy.
-
Finish: Stir in vanilla and nuts (if using). Taste and adjust sweetness.
-
Serve Warm: Ladle into mugs with fruit pieces. Add rum if desired, and enjoy with cheese on the side!
🌿 Variations & Tips:
-
No Tejocotes? Use crab apples or skip them.
-
Vegan? Skip the cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
-
Shortcut: Use pre-cut dried fruit mix if fresh isn’t available.
-
Leftovers? Strain and refrigerate for 3 days (reheat gently).
🎄 Why It’s Special:
Ponche is more than a drink—it’s a festive tradition! The blend of fruits (like tejocotes, believed to ward off colds) and warming spices makes it a beloved winter remedy. Some families even hide a small clay doll (muñeco) in the pot for kids to find!
Would you like a lighter summer version with hibiscus (jamaica)? Let me know! 😊
