"The word ‘pumpkin’ comes from the Greek word ‘peopon,’ meaning ‘large melon’. It then evolved to ‘pompon’ in French and ‘pumpion’ in Britain. It was in America that it got changed to ‘pumpkin, ‘ as we know today. Technically pumpkin is a fruit, a winter squash from the family Cucurbitaceae which includes cucumbers and melons. Pumpkin is edible in all kinds of form- the leaves, the seeds, the stems, the pulp, the flowers and even the skin in Bengali cuisine. It is equally delicious in all its forms. Use it in curries, soups, roast, Interestingly, pumpkins are 92 percent water. They are a great source of vitamins A and C, potassium, iron, riboflavin and beta-carotene, the antioxidant that gives it the distinctive color.
In this recipe pumpkin chunks are cooked in Bengali spices with a hint of sugar. The dish is savory, sweet and spicy at the same time and is best served with rice or roti/paratha."
Pumpkin Curry
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Prep time: 10mins
Cook time: 20mins
Serves or Makes: 5
Recipe Card
ingredients
- 4 cups chopped pumpkin
- 4 tbsp mustard oil
- 2 whole red chilies
- 2 tsp Bengali five spice powder
- 2 broken into pieces bay leaf
- 1 tsp asafetida
- salt
- 1 tbsp turmeric
- 1 tbsp red chili powder
- 1 tbsp red chili powder
- 1 tbsp coriander powder
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp flour
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 2 tsp Bengali garam masala (see below)
Method
Step 1
Heat mustard oil. Temper with bay leaf, panch phoron, asafetida and whole red chilies.
Step 2
Let it splutter. Add chopped pumpkin. Season with salt, turmeric, red chili powder and coriander powder. Cook it for 5-6 minutes till the pumpkin is slightly caramelized.
Step 3
Add a cup of water and cover. Cook till nearly done. Add ginger, sugar and flour. Cook till the gravy reduces to desired consistency.
Step 4
Add ghee and Bengali garam masala. Serve.
ingredients
Bengali Five Spice
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds
- 1/4 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 1 tbsp black mustard seeds
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds
- 1 tbsp nigella seeds
- 1/4 tsp wild celery seeds (optional)
Step 1
Panch Phoron or Bengali Five Spice is a combination of fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, black mustard seeds, cumin seeds, nigella seeds. Sometimes mustard seeds are substituted with radhuni or wild celery seeds.
Step 2
Combine equal quantities of fennel, mustard, cumin, nigella and 1/4 th of fenugreek and radhuni if using. It imparts an amazing depth of flavor to a dish.
ingredients
Bengali Garam Masala
- 4 cloves
- 2 green cardamom
- 1 inch cinnamon
Step 1
Grind all the ingredients to a smooth powder in a coffee grinder.
Step 2
Store any leftover in a dry air tight container in a dark cupboard or drawer.