One For The PITA Files

[pargoletta]

I made pumpkin kofta curry tonight. It was utterly delicious, probably thanks to the actual whole pumpkin that went into it. On the other hand, it was a complete Pain In The Ass to make, also thanks to the actual whole pumpkin that went into it. No dinner should take that much time and that many implements to make. But damn, it was tasty. And

Comments

[valmora]

I am extremely curious.

(the likely situation of "no job and no prospects" for after I graduate means that I'll have, around interviews and job-hunting, a lot of time to cook for my parents)

[pargoletta]

The first thing about it is that a pie pumpkin (about three pounds in the store) is extremely difficult to get open without an axe or something. I ended up using a chef knife, a carving knife, and a kitchen mallet to break the thing open. The recipe expects you to "peel" the pumpkin, chop the flesh into pieces, and steam them. Snerk. Ha ha. No. I just steamed the pieces right there in their shells and scooped the cooked pumpkin out.

The recipe ultimately consists of pumpkin dumplings cooked in a curry sauce and served over rice. All these elements take more time to make than you think, and there's a lot of chopping involved -- thank God for my trusty herb vroomer! There's also a lot of dishes, but part of that is my own fault for not planning better.

So it's a pain in the ass to make, but it's vegan, gluten-free, and very tasty.

[valmora]

without an axe or something
My parents own a 5 lb. rubber mallet we've never used. I could wash it. That would probably do the trick. And if you're going to be chopping it into tiny pieces anyway you might as well do it unevenly.

That recipe actually sounds really good (or maybe I'd just do pumpkin dumplings, since that sounds pretty good on its own). I don't suppose you care to share?

[hyarrowen]

...Recipe? ( I can reciprocate with an Asian-inspired pumpkin soup recipe, which is yummy.)
I was chopping a large pumpkin in half last week. My friend suggested standing on a step-stool, for greater leverage. Worked very well.

[pargoletta]

Recipe has been posted. Abandon all hope, ye who enter there.