Pretty pumpkin!!

Brutally woken up by the doorbell ringing right into my ears when i was having one of my rare afternoon siestas a few days back, i came to open my door all grumpy. But my frown soon gave way to a broad grin as soon as i found what was on the other side of the door.I was greeted by the sight of a shiny golden,beautifully ripe and just out of the farm pumpkin from my neighbour.Thanking profusely for the generous and friendly gesture i came back and thanked my stars for giving me such considerate neighbours who actually thought i would be the deserving one.I really do rather love being gifted a big pumpkin over a fancy bouquet of flowers or even scented candles for that matter(no puns here).But it was far too big for my entire family's needs..so i cut it into half ,kept one half for me and rang the bell next door, spreading  around the same bonhomie  that i had just received (i totally do intend the pun here..;-)  ) .

we all in my family love our pumpkins and often use it in sambhar(a spicy curry from south india) and all sorts of curries and sabzees(veggie side dishes).I've even used it in desserts and cookies...but what i love is a spicy carribean inspired hearty soup that uses white lentils(urad daal) too.It is my own replacement for chicken soup for the soul when i'm unwell for it just lifts up my spirit and opens up all the senses including my tastebuds and to top it all,it is very nutritious. It is very filling and satisfying too.Here is the recipe:

p.s.  it also uses some raw mangoes,that are in the season here right now...yay!!!


Pumpkin Medley
(sweet,tangy and spicy pumpkin soup with lentils)

Ingrediets:

• 400 gms of yellow pumpkin,cleaned ,peeled and diced
• two medium sized red onions,julienned
• chopped celery-half a cup
• 3-4 cloves of garlic
• half a raw mango, peeled and finely diced or pureed(as a substitute you can use juice of a lime or some tamarind pulp or even fresh and tangy green tomatoes;although each will slightly change the overall flavour of the soup)
• cayenne pepper/smoked paprika or red chilli flakes - 1¼ tspn or more if you like
• white lentils(urad daal without the husk)-2 tblspn
• grated jaggery(or honey or sugar)-2 tspn
• turmeric powder-1tspn
• cumin powder-1 tspn
• salt and pepper to taste
• fenugreek seeds -1 tspn
• olive oil
• vegetable stock

Preparation:

• Soak the white lentils in some water and proceed to heat a broad pan,pour over about two tablespoons of olive oil and when its hot enough,add fenugreek seeds.stir for 10 seconds.
• Add garlin cloves,onions and the celery to the pan.Reduce the heat and let the aromatics sweat over for 5 mts.
• Increase the heat and add the pumpkin dices now,stirring in between till the some of the dices get a light brown color on them.Lower the heat now and add the turmeric powder,paprika,cumin and the jaggery and stir for two minutes.
• Add three cups of vegetable stock now and let it simmer for 5 mts.
• Strain the white lentils now and add them to the pot.Cover and Simmer for another ten mts.The lentils should be cooked through yet firm by now. If not ,then give it another 3 to 4 mts.
• Now add salt,the raw mango and pepper according to how sour and salty or spicy you like it.
• While stirring the soup,mash some of the pumpkins using the back side of the spatula so the soup gets all mushy and a little thick.

Serve the soup very hot(this will serve around four people) with a little dollop of chilled yoghurt and some chopped parsley accompanied by toasted bread of your choice.sumptuous.






Health tip:


I will not get into the details this time,but will just tell you that this vegetable is a must have if you want to keep fit and healthy,have great immunity,great skin and a good oral health.Pumpkin not only has many antioxidants(like alpha and beta carotene) that help to slow the ageing process,it has vital nutrients like potassium and zinc that keeps hypertension and depressions at bay(now i know why i need it the most when i am all bedridden!!) and prevent osteoporosis,so have plenty of them.