Gummadikaya Pulusu ( Pumpkin Stew )

Month of halloween and it's pumpkins all around. Yesterday I made this pumpkin pulusu. This is sweet in nature and this blend of sweet and spice makes it excellent.

Ingredients:

• Pumpkin - 1/2 of the medium sized pumpkin ( cubed, you can leave the skin on)
• Onions - 1 ( cubed )
• Tomatoes - 2 medium ( Cubed )
• Tamarind Pulp - 2 tbsp
• Jaggery - 1/4 -1/2 cup
• Salt -to taste
• Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp
• Red Chili Powder - 1 tsp or to taste
• Rice Flour - 2 tbsp
• Chopped Cilantro - for garnish
• Water - 3-4 cups

For Tempering :

• Oil / Ghee - 2 tbsp
• Chana Dal - 2 tbsp
• Urad Dal - 1 tbsp
• Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
• Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
• Curry Leaves - 1 spring
• Hing - a pinch
• Red whole Chillies - 1-2

Directions: 

• In a heavy bottom deep pot, heat water and add cubed pumpkins and onions. Let them boil till pumpkins are slightly tender.
• Now add cubed tomatoes , salt, turmeric and chilli powder. Cook covered for 3-5 minutes.
• Add tamarind pulp and jaggery. mix well. Cook covered for another 2 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix rice flour with few tbsp of water and make a thin batter. Pour this mixture into the    pot slowly while mixing.  This mixture would help the pulusu ( stew ) thicken. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
• For tempering, heat oil or ghee in a small pan, and add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, chana dal, urad dal, red chili, curry leaves, hing. Pour this tadka over the pulusu and mix well. Adjust salt.
• You can garnish with a little chopped cilantro.

This pulusu is supposed to be sweet so a little more jaggery would not harm.

Serve this pulusu with mudda pappu ( plain toor dal ) and ghee over white steamed rice.  Did I just hear someone say " ummm heavenly " haha.. 

Enjoy !!