Pumpkin & Cauliflower Curry: A Hearty Delight from Central Otago
Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan | Serves 4
Pumpkin & Cauliflower Curry: A Hearty Delight from Central Otago that will feed the whole family and have them coming back for more.
Although my pumpkin harvest wasn't the best this year, I'm determined to make the most of these delightful winter vegetables.
Pumpkins, along with other hearty winter veggies, are incredibly versatile. Whether you're craving something sweet, savoury, hot, or cold, they deliver an abundance of flavours.
Ingredients:
7-8 tablespoons of oil
300 grams of onions, finely sliced
5 dried red chilies
2 teaspoons of coriander seeds
1/4 teaspoon of mustard seeds
1/4 teaspoon of cumin seeds
3 cm cinnamon quill
4 peppercorns
2 cloves
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
1 heaped tablespoon of tamarind paste
5 cm fresh ginger
5 cloves of garlic, crushed
200 grams of pumpkin, roughly chopped
400 grams of cauliflower, cut into florets
500 ml coconut milk
Curry Paste Method:
In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil and add the sliced onions. Cook until they are soft and transparent. Set them aside.
In a small pan, heat and add the spices (excluding the paprika and turmeric). Toast the spices gently, swirling the pan to prevent burning (as burnt spices can make your curry taste bitter), for about 30 seconds. Transfer the toasted spices to a food processor, along with half of the cooked onion, garlic, and ginger. Blend until you achieve a smooth paste.
Curry Method:
In the same large pot with the remaining onion, heat it up and add the curry paste. Cook it off until the paste becomes fragrant, stirring continuously for approximately 5 minutes.
Add the pumpkin to the pot, toss it through the paste, season it, and pour in the coconut milk. Cook until the pumpkin becomes tender. Then, add the cauliflower, check the seasoning, and adjust as needed.
Serve this delicious curry with steamed rice, yogurt, and your favorite naan bread.
There's something truly special about the texture of pumpkin in a curry. Its creamy sweetness perfectly complements the spicy mix, creating a delightful balance of flavours.
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