Pumpkin (Watakka) Curry

Ingredients

450g (1 lb) pumpkin
2 tablespoonfuls desiccated coconut
5 cloves garlic
a few curry leaves
½ medium-sized onion
1 teaspoonful coriander powder
½ teaspoonful cumin powder
1/4 teaspoonful turmeric
1/4 teaspoonful black mustard seed
1 teaspoonful oil
salt to taste
28g (1 oz) creamed coconut
1 cup hot water

Method

Wash the pumpkin. Peel off the skin and remove the seeds and the fibrous flesh around the seeds. Cut the pumpkin into 5cm (1") cubes. Roughly chop the garlic and the onion.In a heavy-bottomed frying pan, over a low heat, dry roast the coconut until dark brown. It requires constant stirring to prevent the coconut from burning. In a food processor assemble the peeled garlic, the chopped onion and the roasted coconut. Add 2 tablespoonsful of water and grind to a smooth paste.In a medium-sized pan heat the oil, add the mustard seeds and cook covered on a low heat until the seeds 'pop'. Add the curry leaves and the spices (coriander, cumin and turmeric) and fry for half a minute. Dissolve the creamed coconut in the hot water and add it together with the salt. Add the ground ingredients and lastly add the pumpkin pieces and bring to the boil. Simmer covered for 12-15 minutes or until a skewer when inserted goes through.