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Yellow Pumpkin Raita / Parangikai Thayir Pachidi

The first time I had a pumpkin raita, it was at a Maharashtrian friend's place along with Masale Bhaath (Rice with spices). The mild sweetness of the pumpkin was a perfect pairing with the medley of spices in the rice dish. While the idea is borrowed from the friend, I have stuck to the traditional
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Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 serving
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: south indian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 - 3 cups Yellow pumpkin cubes
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1.5 cups yogurt
  • 1/4 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp dal udad
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 1 - 2 red chilli dried

Method
 

  1. Place the cubed yellow pumpkin in a microwave safe glass bowl. Add 1/4 cup water. Cover and microwave on High for 3-4 minutes, until the pumpkin is soft and cooked through.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the yogurt and salt.
  3. With the back of a ladle or a potato masher, mash the cooked pumpkin coarsely.
  4. Add this to the yogurt and mix well. Remove this mix into a serving bowl.
  5. In a tempering ladle or a small saucepan, heat the oil. Add the mustard seeds. Once they splutter, add udad dal. Allow this to turn golden. Add the curry leaves, red chilli broken into pieces, give it a stir and transfer the tempering over the raita.
  6. Keep in the refrigerator to chill for an hour or so before serving.

Notes

Try this with butternut squash if you don't have access to yellow pumpkins for equally delicious results.
To give it a flavour change, use your favourite spices in the tempering such as fennel seeds or Bishop's weed (ajwain) or even Nigella seeds (kalonji).