Pumpkin Dal

Pumpkin is filled with loads of healthy properties. It is always better to make use of the natural benefits from vegetables.
Here is  Pumpkin Dal that you can try and enjoy your meal.

Here is a Pumpkin Dal that I have prepared and it is mild, delicious and nice to have with all the main dishes like plain rice, chapatis, rotis, pooris, dosa or idli.
I have used " Pumpkin ", toor dal, green chilly and a little rasam powder. (Freshly done at home).
Let us see some benefits of eating " Pumpkin " in our diet.
Pumpkin is one of the winter squash. They are rich in healthy properties. It is low in calorie and good for weight loss. It is rich in antioxidants and helps to boost our immune system. It helps to protect our eye sight. It is rich in Vitamin A. It protect us from chronic diseases. Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Potassium. It is good for our skin and rich in fiber.
No Onion or No Garlic is used here in this " Pumpkin Dal ".
It is simple, quick and healthy and suits to all age group.
Let us see the recipe now.

Things Needed :

To Cook :
Toor Dal : 1 Cup
Pumpkin Pieces : 1 Bowl. (Half of 1 small pumpkin).
To Add :
Green chilly : 2
Rasam Powder : 1 Tbs
Grated raw mango : 2 Tbs
Mustard Seasoning : 1 Tbs
Salt : As required
Seasoning :
Cooking Oil : 1 Teaspoon
Mustard Seeds : 1/2 Tsp
Jeera/Cumin seeds
Ingh /Asafoetida : A little
Curry Leaves : 6 to 8

Method :

1. Wash and remove the outer hard part of pumpkin and cut into small.
2. Wash dal and pressure cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Wash curry leaves and green chilly.

3. Add pumpkin and 1/4 tsp of methi seeds and  cook  for 4 to 5 minutes.
4. Wash and grate mango and add it to cooked dal.

5. Add salt and little turmeric and mix it well. Add slit green chilly.
6. Add rasam powder, mix all the ingredients well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.

7.  Shift Pumpkin dal to a serving dish and add mustard seasoning.

8. Pumpkin dal is ready to serve.

9. We had it with plain rice and raw mango tambuli.

Note :

Use of pressure cooker to cook dal helps the dal to cook well. Cook Pumpkin separately. Adding methi seeds reduces the cholesterol in food. Home made rasam powder adds to the taste.
Adding more chilly is optional.
Time : 30 Minutes.

Serves : 2 to 3
Home made Rasam Powder :
Dry fry 1/4 tsp of methi seeds, 2 to 3 tbs of coriander seeds, 5 to 6 byadagi chilly, 1/2 ts of jeera. Add little ingh/Asafotida.
Dry grind once it is cooled.  (Only for 1 time use).