Thursday, December 11, 2014

Parangikkai Kootu/Tender Pumpkin Kootu

                                                             I can call this kootu as my "family dish" yes my kids love this kootu especially when my MIL makes it.Itseems my husband used to love it when he was a kid and she used to say the same story to my kids and they also started loving it.So it is a compulsory dish that she has to make whenever she visits us.
It tastes best when the Pumpkin is tender.I got this Tender pumpkin from my neighbor from his farm and i am trying different recipes like Thogayal,Gothsu etc out of that.



You will Need

  • 250 gms of Pumpkin
  • Half cup cooked Moong dal
  • Two tbs of Scraped coconut
  • Two to Three Red chillies
  • Half tsp Cumin seeds
  • A pinch of Turmeric powder
  • One tsp Powdered Jaggery
  • Salt to taste
  • One tsp Oil
  • Half tsp Mustard Seeds
  • Half tsp Channa Dal
  • A generous pinch of Asafoetida
  • A sprig of Curry Leaves

How to
1.Peel the skin and cut the pumpkin in to medium sized Blocks.
2.Grind Coconut,cumin seeds and red chillies and keep aside.You can add water and add or just powder it.

3.Boil the diced pumpkin with salt and turmeric powder.
4.Crush it in between your fingers and check if it is cooked.
5.Boil the moong dal in pressure cooker.
6.Once the pumpkin is cooked add the boiled dal and ground coconut.
7.Add a little jaggery it is optional because pumpkin itself will have some sweetness.
8.Heat another small pan with oil crackle mustard seeds,brown channa dal add red chilli and pour over the kootu.
9.Add some asafoetida and curry leaves and mix well.

Enjoy the Kootu with some hot rice and ghee or as an accompaniment too!!!!!!!


Notes

  • This Pumpkin gets cooked really fast so keep the cooked dal and ground coconut ready before you start boiling the pumpkin.
  • check for salt after you add the dal and coconut.
  • You can add half tsp Sambar powder while boiling the pumpkin.It gives a good flavour and taste.