BUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH BLACK CHANNA

INGREDIENTS:

Butternut Squash (or Pumpkin) – 1 medium size
Black Channa – 1 cup  ( soaked in water for 8hrs)
Water – 3 cups
Salt – to taste
Oil – 2 tbsp
Panch Puran -  1 tsp (Fenugreek Seeds ,Cumin Seeds , Mustard Seeds , Onion Seeds, Fennel Seeds )
Salt – to taste
Red Chili Powder – to taste
Cumin Powder – 1 tsp
Minced Ginger – 1 tbsp
Sugar – 1 tsp, (optional and to taste)

METHOD:

1. Wash and rinse the Channas and soak them overnight (atleast 8 hrs) with fresh water.
2. After 8 hours, rinse out the water, transfer the Channas into a pressure cooker, add Water and Salt (1/2 tbsp or to taste).
3. Close the Pressure Cooker and allow it to cook on high heat for 2 whistle.
4. Turn off the flame/heat and allow the pressure to go down by itself.
5. Open pressure cooker and drain/remove the liquid and save the Channas.

For the Subzi :

1. Wash, cut, peel, remove seeds and fiber & cube the Squash (Pumpkin) to bite size.
2. In a open pan , heat Oil on medium heat.
3. Once hot, add the Panch Puran and allow the seeds to pop and sizzle.
4. Add the cubed Squash.
5. Let it cook till 3/4th cooked.
6. Stir periodically for even cooking. The Squash needs to be a little translucent and soft .
7.Then add spices – Salt, Red Chili Powder, Cumin Powder, Ginger & Sugar.
8.  Mix well and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
9. Add in the Channas and mix and cook till the Squash is cooked all the way.
10. Turn off the flame and it’s ready to serve

Goes well with rice or roti.....................................................

TOOR DAL WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH KUTTU

INGREDIENTS:

Toor dal - 1cup
Butternut squash - 1cup (cut into cubes).

Channa dal - 2tbsp
Black pepper powder - 1/2tsp
Curry leaves
Haldi - pinch

FOR GRINDING:

Coconut grated -2tbsp
Red chillies dry - 4
Jeera - 1/4tsp

FOR SEASONING:

Mustard seeds - 1/4tsp
Urad dal - 1tsp
Hing - pinch
Oil - 1/2 tsp ( We can even use coconut oil  for seasoning)

METHOD:

1. Wash 1cup  toor dal  and add 3cups water and let it boil for three whistles.

2. Chop the butternut squash.

3. In a pan add 2tbsp of channa dal.

4. Add the chopped squash.

5. Now add 1cup of water.

6. Add a pinch of haldi and black pepper powder.

7. Mix them nicely and allow it to boil.

8. By the time the squash is boiling we can do the grinding part.

9. Take 2tbsp of grated coconut in a spice grinder jar.

10. Add 4 redchillies and jeera.

11. Grind them to a fine paste.

12. check weather the squash is boiled.

13. Then add the boiled dal.

14. Mix well nicely and add the grinded coconut paste.

15. Add the curry leaves.

16. Heat oil in a small pan for tadka.

17. Add mustard seeds and allow them to pop.

18. Now add urad dal and let it fry till golden brown colour.

19. Add pinch of hing.

20. Pour the tadka into the dal.

21. Mix well and allow it to boil for 3mins.

22. Now the dal is ready to serve...................................

This dal is very healthy. It is important to add all the squashes in our daily cooking......