Spicy Squash
September 24th, 2009 filed under Dry Vegetables, Subji (Vegetables), Vegan
This is a north Indian dish, spicy, sweet and sour taste all in one. Typically this dish is served with puri and kachori (puri stuffed with urad dal).
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoons mango powder (amchoor) 4 tablespoons sugar (cheeni)
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (hara dhania)
- 4 cups of sliced squash (kadoo)
- 3 tablespoon oil
- 1/8 teaspoon asafetida (hing)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seed (jeera)
- 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds (dana mathi)
- 1 tablespoon coriander powder (dhania)
- 1 tablespoon coarsely ground funnel seed (saunf)
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (haldi)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder (pisi mirch) adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (dagi mirch) provides a nice color
- 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 4 whole red chili (sabut lal mirch)
- 1 tablespoon shredded ginger (adrak)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (nimbu ka ras)
Method:
- Peel and cut the squash into cubes.
- Save about ¼ of the squash peel and chop them.
- In a small bowl, mix the shredded ginger, coriander powder, funnel, red chili powder, paprika, turmeric, and ¼ cup of water to make a paste.
- Heat the oil in a pan. Test the heat by adding one cumin seed to the oil; if seed cracks right away oil is ready.
- Add cumin seeds and asafetida after seeds crack add fenugreek seeds and red chilies and stir for a few seconds.
- Add the spice paste and stir-fry for a minute until spices start leaving the oil.
- Add the squash, squash peels, salt, and ¼ cup of water. Mix well.
- Cover the pan and let it cook on medium heat until the vegetables are tender. Squash will be semi mushy.
- Make sure to stir gently every 3 to 4 minutes. Check if more water needed.
- Lastly, add the mango powder, sugar and chopped cilantro. Mix everything and cover for a minute. Adjust the salt to your taste.
Tips:
I have used acorn squash but any squash can be used whatever is available for example banana squash, butternut squash, buttercup squash etc. The only one I know does not work is spaghetti squash and pumpkin.
Suggestion:
The recipe is with many blends of spices and great aroma makes a great dish to serve with plain rice. Just make the dish with extra gravy by adding more water on step 9.
Is the squash peel necessary? It seems like it would be chewy and not soft like the rest of the squash. Please reply if you have made this dish with the peels. Thanks.
Hi Mrs. Manjula,
I just made this tonight for my wife and it was great. This is the first time I have ever tried to cook an Indian dish. I followed your directions carefully, and found the video to be very helpful. I’m looking forward to trying some of your other recipes in the future. Thanks for sharing your recipes and videos!
Hi Aunty,
I tried this recipe yesterday and it came out wonderful. I added in some onions. .I like your presentation, simple and clear.
Thanks for all the recipes.
Hello! Thank you so much for your website. I made this dish along with one of your other dishes last night. My husband and son loved them!
Delicious! I made this tonight with some chickpeas, chapatis and pickles. And I have some left to have tomorrow with some pooris!
Thanks for this recipe.
Hello Aunty, Thank you for all your awesome recipes here. I must admit I’ve learned a lot from you. Could you please post a recipe for cauliflower curry? Dry cauliflower would also work. Thanks again.
Hi aunty,
I was wondering if i can use zucchini for this dish???
Instead of squash, try sweet potato. Or mix the 2 together.
Thank You Aunty for a different n yummy recipe..
i want to share my experience ..i had a huge problem cutting the hard squash..i googled it..
To make the squash easier to cut, pierce the skin in a few spots, place it in a microwave oven and heat on high for 2 minutes. Let stand for another few minutes before carving.
Thank you again Aunty
hi manjula aunty,
today i tried your recipe with the green pumpkin. it really turned out very delicioius. thanks a lot for the recipe.
Hi,
I made this dish and it came out very well, thanks for the recipe. Please keep posting new recipes, I have learnt to cook a lot of things from your website.
Thanks