Sri Lankan Pumpkin Fry

A friend of mine bought for me Sri Lankan roasted curry powder sometimes ago. The moment i opened up the jar, a beautiful aromatic smell wafting the air. The delicious dry roasted ground assorted spices with sprinkling of roasted curry leaves gorgeously filled the jar. I used the curry powder in my chicken and mutton curry and it tastes awesome. For a different decided to add them to a vegetarian dish and pumpkin is my choice (simply being one of my favourite vegetable). I shall say it tastes divine. Lightly scented with roasted spices and which coats the sweet pumpkin, this is must try dish for vegetarians. The girls who are not a fan of pumpkin simply, love the crunchy texture of dry roasted coconut with thr hint of sweet pumpkin. Goes very well as a side dish with white rice and curry.

Ingredients

1/2 kg pumpkin, removed seeds & peeled
1 medium onion,chopped
1/2 cup thin coconut milk
1 sprig curry leaves
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp Sri Lankan roasted curry powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 red chilly,broken
2 red chillies,sliced
1/4 mustard seeds
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
3 tbsp thick coconut milk
Salt to taste
2 tbsp cooking oil

To Dry Roast

1/4 cup grated coconut
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
1/4 tsp fennel seeds

Methods

Wash and cut the pumpkin into bite sized cubes

In a frying pan dry roast all the ingredients listed under "Dry roast" over a medium heat. Careful not to burn the mixture. Remove from heat and let it to cool.

Using a mortal and pesstle or dry grinder, grind the ingredients into coarse powder. Keep aside.

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Once mustard seeds splutters, add curry leaves and dried chilly.

Add onion and saute till soft and translucent. Add garlic and green chill, fry for 1 minute.

Add the cubed pumpkin,roasted curry powder and turmeric powder. Cook for 3-4 minutes.

Add the thin coconut milk and cook till the pumpkin turns soft and tender. Season with salt.

Ad the ground coconut mixture (reserve some for sprinkling) and thick coconut milk. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Off the heat and transfer to a serving plate.