Gummadikaaya Pulusu (Pumpkin cooked in tamarind gravy)

Ingredients:

Gummadikaaya (Pumpkin) - 8 pieces

Onion (large) - 1

Tamarind - lemon size

Jaggery - 2-3 tbsp

Green chillies - 4

Red chillies - 2-3

Mustard seeds - 1 tbsp

Cumin seeds - 1 tbsp

Fenugreek seeds - 1/4 tbsp

Garlic pods - 3

Turmeric - 1/4 tbsp

Curry leaves - 1 leaflet

Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp

Salt - as per taste

Water - 2 cups

Oil - 1 tbsp

Procedure:

1. Wash, remove seeds and chop pumpkin in to one inch pieces. Similarly finely chop onion and green chillies length wise.
2. Take a wide sauce pan, heat oil and add fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds,cumin seeds, crushed garlic pods, green chillies, red chillies, curry leaves and stir well.
3. Add chopped onion and saute for 2-3 minutes with covered lid.
4. Now add pumpkin pieces, water, tamarind juice and cook for few minutes.
5. Add turmeric, jaggery, salt and cook for 2 more minutes.
6. Finally garnish with chopped coriander. Serve hot with plain dal and papad.

TIP: Pumpkin pieces can be cooked directly or the outer layer can be peeled and used. Pumpkin naturally has a sweet taste. So the addition of jaggery can be increased or decreased based on your taste.