Yellow Pumpkin Dal Kootu

Yellow Pumpkin Dal Kootu(பறங்கிக்காய் பருப்பு கூட்டு)..I hav never tasted pumpkin in my home since my childhood, except in restaurants..But knowing its health benefits, I hav been including in the form of purees and juices for my kid..Eager to feel its taste, I cooked it for the first tym with Dal and our basic thoran masala..Wow..Now pumpkin too has been included in my favourite veggies list..😋

To see more recipes with yellow pumpkin, click here:
Pumpkin Beet Carrot Juice 
Pumpkin Poori 

RECIPE:   

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Preparation Time: 10 mins

Cooking Time: 10 mins

Serves: 2-3 persons

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INGREDIENTS: [1 cup=240 ml]     

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Yellow Pumpkin(chopped into small cubes) - 1 cup

Moong Dal - 2 tbsp

Salt - as req.

Water - as req.

Oil - as req.

Mustard seeds - 1.5 tsp

Curry leaves - 1 sprig

BASIC THORAN MASALA(To grind):

Grated coconut - 3 tbsp

Red chilli powder - 1 tsp

Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp

Cumin seeds - 3/4 tsp

Garlic - 2 to 3

METHOD:

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1. Clean the moong dal. In a pressure cooker, add the pumpkin, moong dal, little salt, and water till everything is immersed. Pressure cook for 4 whistles(3 whistles are ok too, but 4 is perfect. Anyways it depends on your cooker).

2. In a blender, grind the 'basic thoran masala' ingredients to a coarse paste with very little water.

3. Open the pressure cooker lid, add the thoran masala, very little water, adjusted salt, and cook for a few mins till it lightly boils. Switch off the stove.

4. In a pan, pour oil, temper with mustard seeds and curry leaves. Switch off the stove and pour this over the pumpkin mixture. DONE!!

Your super yummy yellow pumpkin dal kootu is ready to be served with hot rice!!

NOTE:

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1. You can use the same recipe with carrots, snake gourd(புடலங்காய்), or cucumber, instead of yellow pumpkin.

2. The basic thoran masala is the one we use in our home for almost any kootu or thoran. You can apply it as it is, or adjust the ingredients as per your taste.

3. If you are cooking in a kadai, first cook the moong dal till it is cooked 1/2 or  3/4th. Next add the pumpkin, and continue the remaining steps of the recipe.