Recipe video: Kerala Pumpkin Erissery

Wash the pumpkin thoroughly, remove the seeds, and peel off the outer skin. Then, dice the pumpkin into cubes. Rinse the split pigeon pea lentils and set aside.

In a pan, cook the cubed pumpkin with half a teaspoon of red chilli powder, half a teaspoon of turmeric powder, one green chilli, curry leaves, and water. Cover and cook for about 10 minutes over a medium flame.

Pressure cook the split pigeon pea lentils with 250 ml of water. Cook until the pressure cooker whistles three times, then turn off the flame and wait for the pressure to settle.

Once the pumpkin is well cooked, mash it with the back of a spoon. A coarse mash is sufficient. Add the cooked split pigeon pea lentils and mix well. Season with salt as needed. Cover and cook for another five minutes.

Meanwhile, coarsely grind the ingredients listed under 'to grind,' then add them to the pumpkin-lentil mixture. Cover and cook for an extra five minutes.

Finally, heat coconut oil in a pan. Add one teaspoon of clarified butter. Once hot, crackle the mustard seeds, add chopped shallots and grated coconut, and fry until the coconut turns brown. Then, add the dried chillies and curry leaves, sauté for a few seconds, and pour the mixture over the curry. Serve hot with rice.

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