Picarones is a Peruvian and Chilean dessert that originated in the colonial period. Its principal ingredients are squash and sweet potato. It is served in a doughnut form and covered with syrup, made from chancaca (solidified molasses). It is traditional to serve picarones when people prepare anticuchos, another traditional Peruvian dish.Picarones were created during the colonial period to replace Buñuelos as buñuelos were too expensive to make.