Khatta Meetha Kaddu - Sweet and Sour Pumpkin
This is a typical maithil preparation also common in other parts of East India like Bengal. This preparation like many other traditional recipes does not need onion or garlic. It goes well with crisp paratha. You need: 1/2 kg pumpkin - ideally the green variety. Do not peel. Cut into cubes and keep aside. Fenugreek seeds - 0.5 teaspoon Amchur powder - 1.5 teaspoon Sugar - 2 teaspoon Turmeric powder - 0.5 teaspoon Whole red chillies - 2 to 3 Salt to taste Mustard oil - 1.5 teaspoon Hing/Asaphoedita- optional Heat oil in a kadai, do not let it get to smoking. When hot, add fenugreek seeds and red chillies, let it turn dark brown, then add all ingredients except amchur and sugar. Saute well. Cover and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or till pumpkin becomes little soft. Give it a good stir, add a cup of water and the amchur and sugar. Cook covered on low flame till done and water dries. If you like the flavour of hing add a pinch of hing when adding amchur and sugar. Enjoy with roti or paratha.







