Pumpkin Sambar is a South Indian lentil and pumpkin stew recipe made with yellow or red pumpkin, lentils ,tamarind and unique blend spice blend together called sambar powder in instant pot pressure cooker.
It is also known as Sihi kumbalakayi Sambaru or huli in Karnataka and kaddu Sambhar in North India.
WHAT IS SAMBAR ?
Sambar is South Indian lentil and vegetable stew made with lentils ,tamarind and unique blend spice blend together called sambar powder.
HOMEMADE SAMBAR POWDER
Sambar powder is easily available on Amazon or any Indian grocery store.In case you can’t find sambar powder , here’s a quick recipe to make it at home.
Dry roast the following spices in a pan on medium-low heat until fragrant, around 3 to 4 minutes.
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds (dhaniya)
- 1 tablespoon channa dal (skinned split bengal gram)
- ½ teaspoon cumin(jeera) seeds
- 1 teaspoon urad dal (skinned split black gram)
- 4-5 dried red chilies (or more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon methi seeds (fenugreek seeds)
Let it cool completely and then grind to a fine powder. Store in an airtight container and use as needed.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS FOR PUMPKIN SAMBAR
Pumpkin Sambar is served traditionally with Steamed Rice.But can be eaten with quinoa, brown rice! or even eaten as a lentil soup.
HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN SAMBAR IN INSTANT POT
Peel the pumpkin skin ,de-seed and dice into 1 inch pieces.
Rinse and soak the toor dal (lentils) in water for atleast 30 minutes to fasten the cooking process as pumpkins cook faster than lentils.
Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it's hot add mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves and asafetida, let it splutter.
Then add diced pumpkin, rinsed and soaked toor dal(lentils),sambar powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder ,tamarind extract , salt, coconut paste and water.Mix well.
Close the lid on the pot.Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set timer to 8 minutes
Once the Pot beeps,Do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE.
Remove lid away from you, garnish with Cilantro.
Mix well and adjust consistency and spice level.Increase accordingly.
Serve sweet pumpkin sambar with Hot Steamed Rice.
TIPS & VARIATIONS TO MAKE SWEET PUMPKIN SAMBAR
- Blend ¼ cup fresh/frozen coconut with little water to make smooth coconut paste.
- To make tamarind paste,soak lemon sized tamarind in hot water,squeeze and extract the juice.
- Sambar Powder is easily available in indian grocery stores or amazon (http://amzn.to/2G0Eeck).
- You can also add vegetables like carrot, drumstick, eggplant etc.
CHECKOUT OTHER INSTANT POT LENTIL RECIPES
- Dal Tadka – Dal prepared with split pigeon peas lentils ,assorted spices
- Chana Dal Fry – Dal prepared with split chickpeas lentils ,assorted spices
- Green Lentil Soup – lentil soup made with green lentils, carrots, celery, red bell pepper and indian spices
- Whole green moong dal– Dal cooked with whole mung beans
- Spinach Dal / Palak Dal – Dhal cooked with spinach leaves
- Panchmel dal – dal prepared with five varieties of lentils
- Red Lentils/Masoor dal – dal prepared with red lentils
INSTANT POT PUMPKIN SAMBAR RECIPE CARD
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Instant Pot Pumpkin Sambar
Ingredients
Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml
- ½ cup toor dal (split pigeon peas) ,rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes
- 2 cups pumpkin ,diced into 1 inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon ghee or oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon cumin (jeera) seeds
- few curry leaves
- 1 big pinch hing (asafetida)
- 1.5-2 tablespoons sambar powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1-2 tablespoons tamarind extract or paste as needed *See Notes
- ¼ cup coconut paste (optional) *See Notes
- 2 cups water
- salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons cilantro/Coriander leaves to garnish
Instructions
INSTANT POT METHOD:
- Rinse and soak the toor dal (lentils) in water for atleast 30 minutes to fasten the cooking process as pumpkins cook faster than lentils.
- Press SAUTE on Instant Pot. Add oil and once it’s hot add mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves and asafetida, let it splutter.
- Then add diced pumpkin, rinsed and soaked toor dal(lentils),sambar powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder ,tamarind extract , salt, coconut paste and water.Mix well.
- Close the lid on the pot.Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set timer to 8 minutes.
- Once the Pot beeps,Do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE
- Remove lid away from you, garnish with Cilantro.Mix well and adjust consistency and spice level.Increase accordingly.
- Serve with Hot Steamed Rice.
Notes
- Blend ¼ cup fresh/frozen coconut with little water to make smooth coconut paste.
- To make tamarind paste,soak lemon sized tamarind in hot water,squeeze and extract the juice.
- Sambar Powder is easily available in indian grocery stores or amazon (http://amzn.to/2G0Eeck).
- You can also add vegetables like carrot, drumstick, eggplant etc.
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