Instant Pot Pumpkin Sambar

Pumpkin Sambar made of lentils and pumpkin served in a bowl with cooked rice on side

4.67 from 3 votes

Pumpkin Sambar is a South Indian lentil and pumpkin stew made with yellow pumpkin, lentils, tamarind and unique blend spice blend together called sambar powder in instant pot pressure cooker.

Course Main Course

Cuisine South Indian

Keyword instant pot pumpkin sambar, pumpkin lentil stew, vegetable sambar

Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Method Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, Stovetop

Prep Time 45

Cook Time 15

Total Time 1

Servings

Calories 143kcal

Author Bhavana Patil

Equipment

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 adjust to taste
2 tablespoons coriander leaves to garnish

Instructions

Instant Pot Method:

Rinse and soak the toor dal (lentils) in water for at least 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 chili powder, tamarind extract, salt, coconut paste, and water. Mix well.
Close the Instant Pot with pressure valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 8 minutes.
Once the pot beeps, Do a NATURAL PRESSURE RELEASE.
Remove lid away from you, garnish with coriander leaves. Mix well and adjust consistency and spice level. Increase accordingly.
Serve sweet pumpkin sambar with Hot Steamed Rice.

Notes

I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT

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.
You can also add vegetables like carrot, drumstick, eggplant, etc.

Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition