To complete this wonderful plate below, I did pumpkin talkari, or a Pumpkin Curry as it would be called in other Caribbean countries. Another simple side dish that also goes great with sada roti. I could remember the days when I used to carry sada roti and pumpkin talkari to school. Again, at the time, some would have thought of it as poor people food, but I really enjoyed it. Plus, think about it, was this is one of the healthiest vegetables.
Here is what you should know abut pumpkin. This vegetable is highly nutritious and low in calories. It is one of our source of beta carotene. This is where we will get our vitamin A. It benefits are awesome, as it can help avoid cancers and prevent age-related diseases. That is something to think about the next time you cook with this amazing vegetable. There are also many Caribbean recipes using pumpkin, from stews, curry, soups, to breads.
A Pumpkin Talkari Recipe
My mother treated squash the same way but I find the squash was a little drier, so you had to cook it with a little more water. If you don't have this vegetable at hand you could use squash too. I just remembered the name we had for pumpkin talkari: “Tractor Paint” :^) I know some of you Trinis/Caribbean people know what I'm talking about since most of our tractors and excavators are painted in this pumpkin-yellow colour LOL! ….I think I have talked enough, so I will just post the recipe now. Enjoy “Tractor Paint”…. I mean Pumpkin Talkari.
PUMPKIN TALKARI
Ingredients:
1 pound pumpkin
2 pimentos
2 cloves garlic
½ onion
1 bouillon cube (optional)
1 tablespoon curry (optional)
½ teaspoon salt
1 small slice of hot pepper
½ teaspoon geera
2 tablespoons coconut oil
Direction:
Cut up the onion, pimentos and garlic and set aside. Cut up pumpkin and set aside.
heat oil and sauté garlic. Add the hot pepper. Add the rest of seasonings, bouillon cube and geera.
Add the pumpkin and stir. Add a little water and leave to simmer for about 15 – 20 minutes. Add saltand allowto reduce to a semi thick consistency. Not too dry though!
So ends a fabulous side dish. I had it with roti, curry potato, and curry chicken. A wonderful meal.
Hint: If you do not want to use the bouillon cube, just adjust the amount of salt.
Bye for now.
Pumpkin Talkari
Ingredients
- 1 lb. pumpkin
- 2 pimentos
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 medium onion
- 1 tbsp curry optional
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 small slice of hot pepper
- 1/2 tsp. geera powder
- 2 tbsp. oil
Instructions
- Cut up the onion, pimentos, garlic and pumpkin and set aside.
- Heat oil and saute garlic. Add the hot pepper, the rest of seasonings and geera.
- Add the pumpkin and stir. Add a little water and leave to simmer for about 15 – 20 minutes.
- Add salt and allow to reduce to a semi thick consistency. Not too dry though!
Don't forget to leave your comment for this pumpkin talkari recipe.
I tried this recipe last week with curry chicken and it was delicious. My husband was so impressed. Thanks for sharing all the recipes…I can’t wait to try more. Keep up all the good work!
That sounds yummy!
And lucky me: almost all the ingredients are already at home 😀
I think I will try this today!
Oh wait, no sugar needed? I swear some places pumpkin talkari tastes sweet. Unless that’s natural sweetness from the pumpkin. Any thoughts?
Some people add a little sugar but there are some pumpkins that has a slightly sweet taste also.
Hi I’m making this now for lunch. Have had it before but following your recipe which makes it look even easier and it is smelling great! Kids can’t wait to eat! Oh, btw… we know it as ‘Tractor Grease’ lol!
Thanks for posting all these great recipes, I thought I would’ve done this myself for all my friends who love my trini-food, I looked far and wide for someone who cooks like me and lo and behold I just stumbled upon your website. THIS IS REAL TRINI STYLE…..I LOVE IT…. I just send them your link….I just have to make 2 cookbooks for the kids so they’ll always have my cooking even when i’m not there.
You’re welcome hutwun. Do visit again. There are lots of real Trini recipes on the site. 🙂
yuh mean tractor grease!!!!!!!!!!
We have the exact same recipe in Mauritius.
I wouldn’t be surprised 🙂 East Indian cooking is all over the globe. Do you see any other recipes on the site that are similar?
This is the same a Pumpkin Choka right?
Yep! 🙂
Hi hi how many does this serve/how many pot spoons/cups approx?
This recipe has approximately 3 to 4 servings.
yum! Doing this now! 🙂 Tnx Felix
You’re welcome 🙂
I tried this recipe today and it came out well some people do add a little sugar. Thanks again
I agree, but that depends on the type of pumpkin used.
So glad I stumbled upon your page. I have been looking for a pumpkin recipe for yeeaaaaars. I made it today and it was perfect! I didn’t change a thing. I can’t wait to try other recipes on your page. Thanks for sharing!