Sweet Pumpkin Curry (Wattakka Vanjanaya)

INGREDIENTS

250g sweet pumpkin, or marrow pumpkin

½ onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 green chilli, chopped

Sprig of curry leaves

1 inch cinnamon stick

1 teaspoon mustard powder

1 teaspoon raw curry power

¼ teaspoon turmeric powder

¼ teaspoon black pepper powder

1 cup water

1 cup coconut milk (or 1 tablespoon coconut milk powder mixed with hot water until lump-free)

salt to taste

METHOD

• Remove seeds from pumpkin, cut into 1 ½  inch square pieces and wash
• Put pumpkin and water into a pan together with all other ingredients (except for the coconut milk and salt), and cook until soft
• Add coconut milk, check seasoning and simmer for a further 5 minutes
• Serve with boiled rice

I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion – Henry David Thoreau