Red Pumpkin Gharge/ Sweet Maharashtrian Flatbread

Red Pumpkin Gharge or simply Gharge (घारगे ) are a family favourite. They taste like sweet spiced puris and in our kitchen, they're often accompanied with a hot cup of tea whilst still warm. My mum loves to take them along on road trips since they stay well for a couple of days and taste great warm or cold. Alternatively, she loves Chivda on road trips as well !

Red Pumpkin Kheer

Red Pumpkin (लाल भोपळा) is very versatile and is used in entirety.Heres a light and delicious dessert!

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

Red Pumpkin, Grated           150 gms
Gram Flour                          1 Tbsp
Ghee (तूप )                           1 Tbsp
Milk                                    375 ml
Sugar                                 75 gms
Cardamom powder               1/2 tsp
Chopped pistachios              3
A few strands of saffron for garnishing.

Method:

1.Heat the ghee in a pan.Add the gram flour and saute the roux untill it turns pinkish-brown.
2.Add grated pumpkin and mix it well with the roux.
3.Add milk and bring to a boil.Reduce the heat.Cook for about 5 minutes.
4.Add sugar and stir untill it dissolves.
5.Turn off the heat and add the cardamom powder.
6.Garnish with chopped pistachios and saffron.You can serve this hot or chilled.

This needs to be consumed within 1-2 days and stored in the refrigerator.

This will give you approximately 880 calories.

Red Pumpkin Peel Chutney

This chutney has a slight nutty-spicy flavour and tastes great as an accompaniment with meals or a plain parantha. The easiest way to separate the skin from the flesh is to grate the pumpkin skin with the flesh on, while making sure you don't get any fleshy bits.

Serves 2 (as an accompaniment!)

Ingredients:

Grated Red Pumpkin Peel/Skin      50 gms
Green Chillies, Finely chopped       3
Sesame Seeds                             3 tsp
Salt                                             1/2-3/4 tsp
Sugar                                          1/2 tsp

Oil                                               2 tsp
Mustard Seeds                             1/4 tsp
Asafoetida                                    1/4 tsp
Turmeric Powder                           1/4 tsp

Method:

1.Toast the sesame seeds.
2.Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.After they pop,add chiili, asafoetida and turmeric & saute the mix.
3.Add grated pumpkin skin.Saute it for a minute or two on low flame.

4.Add the toasted sesame seeds and mix well.
5.Add salt and sugar and mix again!

That's it...You're done!

This recipe can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 days.

It will give you approximately 95 calories.

Red Pumpkin

Pumpkin (लाल भोपळा) is a member of the Cucurbita family and an excellent source of carotene.It comes in a number of varieties,each with its own shape, size, colour and flavour.While buying it, check it carefully since the vegetable is prone to decay.It should be firm and seem heavy for it's size.Make sure that the skin is dull and not shiny since the later indicates a tasteless flesh.

The fruit is consumed in entirety and is widely used during fasts since it is light and delicious.

The flesh is used in a number of recipes like this Red Pumpkin Kheer.

The seeds are an excellent source of Vitamin B,protein,minerals and fibre.

The skin has antibacterial properties and can be used to make this delicious Red Pumpkin Chutney.

The vegetable is very easy to digest and versatile.It is an ideal candidate for weight loss,as it is low in calories and high in fibre, while providing proteins and minerals, when consumed entirely!