Easy pumpkin lentil curry

Name: Easy pumpkin lentil curry | Lentil pumpkin curry recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 cup pumpkin (cubed,I prefer using Kent pumpkin); 2 tbsp oil (or ghee); 2 garlic cloves (chopped); 1 tbsp ginger; 1½ cup crushed tomatoes (3-4 tomatoes yield 1 cup crushed tomatoes); 1 tbsp curry powder (can be replace with turmeric powder,garam masala); 1/2 tbsp paprika (or red chilli powder,adjust as per your taste); 1/2 cup lite coconut milk (optional, helpful to balance the spices); 1 cup Brown lentils (These are red lentils with skin. Also known as horsegram lentils or 'kulthi dal' in india); 3½ cups water (or more); Salt as per taste

Jump to Recipe

This is simple recipe of pumpkin with brown lentils which is both delicious and simple. You could pair it with toasted sourdough bread or with rice.
Brown lentils are just red lentils with skin. They are also called horse gram lentils. Easy lentil pumpkin curry makes up for a good wholesome recipe. Lentils or legumes are great for protein. Just add a dash of lemon juice for easy iron absorption.

Jump to:

Different types of lentil recipes
Ingredients
Instructions for lentil pumpkin curry
Equipment
Variations
Substitutions
Equipment
Storage
FAQs
Read more similar recipes
Easy pumpkin lentil curry | Lentil pumpkin curry recipe

Different types of lentil recipes

Lentils are easy to digest as well as cheap. A packet lasts long and makes multiple meals. You can make variety of dishes with lentils and never get bored.

Indian lentils for reference:

Moong - yellow split lentils
Sabut moong/Hari moong - green gram split lentils
Chilke wali moong -split green gram
Urad dal chilka- split black gram
Kali /Maa ki dal - black gram whole lentils
Urad - split black gram
Toor /arhar - yellow pigeon peas split lentils
Chana -split Bengal gram
Masoor -red lentils
kulthi - red lentils with skin,brown lentils
Moth - Turkish gram

Other important ones are turai dhal, lauki chana dhal, daal makhni,Yellow dal recipe sambar, rasam, amti. Dal fry & jeera rice or veg fried rice is a match made in heaven. Indian cuisine has a variety of lentils and many ways to use them. Be it as a curry, appetizer and even a dessert. See the space below to learn how to make mixed lentils.

Ingredients

For cooking lentils in pot

Pumpkin pieces (I prefer kent pumpkin)
Red lentils(with skin),also called brown lentils or horse gram lentils (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Tomatoes, pureed
Ginger-garlic ,crushed
Paprika powder
Curry powder
Oil
Coconut milk (optional)
salt as per taste
water
Coriander leaves (for garnish)

Instructions for lentil pumpkin curry

Heat oil and add pumpkin pieces to it, in a pan. You may alternatively Grill or bake them in an air fryer or oven.

Once they are little soft, keep them aside.(we do not want them over cooked)

In a pan, heat oil and add ginger and garlic.

Add tomatoes and salt. Continue cooking on low heat.

Once tomatoes soften, add paprika and curry powder.

Cook until the spices are mixed well.

Add the soaked and drained lentils with water. Cover and cook them.

Cook on slow flame, until the lentils are cooked and soft. It generally takes 20-25 minutes. You can adjust the amount of water as per your choice. Add the coconut milk if you like it creamier.

Add the grilled/baked pumpkin pieces. Cover and cook for 5-10 minutes. Do not over mix else they will break apart.

Garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Serve warm with bread or rice.

Equipment

I have used a heavy bottom pot here in this lentil pumpkin curry recipe. I recommend to use a wide vessel like the one I have used. This will allow to cook pumpkin without getting mashed into the lentils. You may also use a Dutch oven for this recipe.

Variations

If you like your food spicy, increase the red chili powder in tempering. If you like your food mild, use paprika or Kashmiri red chilly powder which are a milder variety. You can also make use of different pumpkins if Kent pumpkin is not available.

Substitutions

You can use ghee for tempering instead of oil if you are vegetarian.

Equipment

You can cook lentils in any heavy bottom pan or even a slow cooker. You can use a instant pot or a pressure cooker too. The cook time will differ depending on the equipment. Check if the lentils are ready, by mashing a spoonful by using your thumb and index finger. Otherwise let it cook for 5-10 mins.

Storage

If you are short of time on a weeknight? Boil the lentils in a a bigger quantity which lasts two days together. Use half and remaining the next day. Always temper the lentils fresh, it tastes perfect. If you have lots of dhal left, strain it to use water for making rasam.Use the boiled lentil to make paratha.

FAQs

How do you thicken lentil dahl?

Let it simmer for a while once it boils. It thickens as time goes by.

What happens when I eat dal every day?

Dal is low in fat and high in protein. It helps you avoid meat too. It is filling and nutritious. Good source of iron. Just remember to add a dash of lemon for best results.