Pumpkin (Calabaza en Tacha) Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups cubed butternut squash, peeled
• 3/4 cups packed dark brown sugar, about 3 ounces
• 5 ounces Maria crackers* (about 1 pack or 32 crackers), or graham crackers
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup mascarpone, at room temperature
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup pumpkin-dark brown sugar syrup
• 1 cup toasted shelled pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda