Erra Gummadikaya Pulusu (Andhra style Pumpkin Stew)

Blogging Marathon# 32: Letter E
Theme: A-Z Vegetarian Dishes from Andhra Pradesh
Dish: E for Erra Gummadikaya Pulusu (Andhra Style Pumpkin Stew)

I thought E to be one of the hardest letters to find dishes for. I found the recipe with Erra Gummadikaya aka pumpkin aka thiyya gummadikaya in 'Cooking with Pedatha' cookbook. This is a very hearty stew with a variety of veggies and can easily feed a crowd.

I used pumpkin (erra gumamdikaya), eggplant (vankaya) and potato, but other veggies like bottle goud, drumsticks, sweet potato are also typically used in this preparation.

Ingredients:

Erra Gummadikaya (Pumpkin) - ½cup, chopped into large chunks
Baby eggplants - 4, chopped into chunks
Potato - 1 medium, chopped into chunks
Sambar podi - 2tbsp
Tamarind pulp - 3tbsp
Jaggery - 1½tbsp
Green chilies - 2-3, slit
Curry leaves - 8-10
Cilantro leaves - 3tbsp, chopped for garnish
Salt - to taste

For the Powder:
Urad dal (minapappu) - 1tbsp
Senagapappu (Chana dal) - 1tbsp
Sesame seeds - 1tsp

For Tempering:
Mustard seeds (aavalu) - 1tsp
Fenugreek seeds (menthulu) - 1tsp
Asafoetida - ½tsp

Method:

• Make the Powder: Dry roast dals and sesame seeds until lightly brown and fragrant. Let cool for sometime before grinding into a fine powder.
• Mix the powder with tamarind pulp, sambar powder, jaggery and 1-1½cups of water to form a thin, smooth gravy.
• For the Pulusu: Heat 2tbsp oil in a sauce pan; add mustard seeds and when the seeds start to splutter, add fenugreek seeds. Once they start to change color add asafoetida.
• Next add the chopped veggies and enough water to cover them. Cover and cook until the veggies are tender. Alternately cooking of the veggies can be done in the microwave -- this will speed up the process too.
• Once the veggies are cooked through and tender, add the prepared gravy, green chilies and salt. Cook for 4-5 minutes.
• Garnish with curry leaves and cilantro leaves just before turning off the heat.
• Serve hot with steamed rice and dal.

Logo courtesy : Preeti
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 32.
Previously on A-Z Vegetarian Dishes of Andhra Pradesh:
A for Aava Pettina Aratikaya Kura
B for Bagara Baingan
C for Chimmiri
D for Dosakaya Pachadi