Kaddu ki Sabji | Easy Pumpkin Recipe

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This Kaddu ki Sabji is a super easy and delicious dish made with pumpkin, whole spices and herbs. The recipe does not include onions and garlic. It is an easy and delicious vegan pumpkin recipe that can be made on regular days and also during Navratri or Ekadashi Fasting. This kaddu or pumpkin sabzi is a favorite at home. It is also known as petha sabzi or kaddu ki sabzi. 

kaddu ki sabji garnished with coriander sprig and served in a white bowl placed on a white tray.

About Kaddu ki Sabji

Kaddu is the Hindi word for Pumpkin and this recipe only has pumpkin, pumpkin and pumpkin in it 🙂 so a must-try for all pumpkin lovers. Of course spices are included but they enhance the taste and flavor of the pumpkin. This sabzi is another delicious recipe from my mother-in-law’s collection.

Actually it is not a dry curry but here are the cooked pumpkin cubes are mashed. Best to have the kaddu ki sabji with poori. It also goes well with plain paratha or phulka. During the fast, we have it with fried breads or flat breads made with fasting flours like:

  1. Water chestnut flour – E.g. singhare ki poori
  2. Buckwheat flour – kuttu ki poori or kuttu ka paratha
  3. Amaranth flour – rajgira ki poori or rajgira paratha

The recipe of kaddu sabji is simple enough to make with a handful of ingredients. The flavoring comes from the addition of methi seeds (fenugreek seeds) and cumin seeds.

Of course we add our usual Indian spice powders to this recipe like turmeric powder, red chili powder and garam masala powder. Some sugar (or jaggery) is added for that sweetness which fuses subtly with the sweetness of the pumpkin.

The kaddu ki sabzi is easy and simple. Only cutting and peeling the pumpkin takes some effort and time. But I found an easy method to peel the pumpkin. But this method only works with smaller pumpkins not bigger ones.

kaddu or pumpkin on a wooden board
  • Place the whole small pumpkin on a large chopping board or on the kitchen counter top.
  • Firmly keep your hand on top of the pumpkin.
  • With the peeler in your other hand start to peel the pumpkin from sideways. Keep on rotating the pumpkin with the other hand which is on top of it.
  • Work with both your hands in this manner till the pumpkin is peeled from all sides.

Once the pumpkin is peeled, you start to chop the pumpkin and you see the pith and the seeds. So what do you do with the seeds? Don’t throw them away.

pumpkin seeds in a bowl

If you have a garden, then plant the seeds… And if you have a garden or if you don’t have a garden then dry the seeds in the sun. When they are dried, roast them with some salt and have it in your food. Pumpkin seeds are very nutritious and healthy. You can also roast or toast the pumpkin seeds in the oven.

I paired the kaddu sabji with vrat ke jeera aloo and the combo was nice. We all loved it and I plan to make this combo again and again. The tangy jeera aloo with the sweet kaddu ki sabji – goes great with poori, paratha or roti.

Note: if making this kaddu sabzi for fasting or vrat then skip the fenugreek seeds, turmeric powder and garam masala. You can refer to this compiled list of Ingredients allowed during Navratri fast.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Kaddu ki Sabji

Prep Pumpkin (Kaddu)

1. Wash 1 small-sized pumpkin with fresh water. Peel the pumpkin with a peeler. Use yellow pumpkin to make this dish.

peeling pumpkin

2. Chop the pumpkin into small pieces or cubes and set aside.

pumpkin cubes in a bowl

Fry Spices

3. In a pressure cooker or pan, heat 2 tablespoons oil. Add ¼ teaspoon fenugreek seeds (methi dana) and 1 teaspoon cumin seeds.

Remember, if you are making this dish for Navratri or Ekadasi fasting then you have to skip adding fenugreek seeds, turmeric powder and garam masala in the recipe. Also use oil that you use for making fasting food.

cumin seeds and fenugreek seeds in a pressure cooker

4. Fry for a minute on a low heat.

fry the fenugreek seeds and cumin seeds

5. Now add 1 to 2 dry red chilies. Remove the seeds before you add the dry red chilies. However, the addition of dry red chillies is optional. They give a good smoky flavor to the dish but you can add green chilies also instead of red chilies.

dry red chilies added

6. Fry for some 15 seconds till the chilies change color but make sure not to burn them.

frying dry red chilies

Add Pumpkin

7. Transfer the chopped pumpkin pieces or cubes to the pressure cooker.

chopped pumpkin added

8. Stir and mix well.

mix pumpkin with mixture

9. Next add ½ teaspoon red chili powder and ½ teaspoon turmeric powder. Add 1 teaspoon sugar (or 2 teaspoons crushed jaggery or powdered jaggery).

You can also use coconut sugar or palm sugar instead of sugar or jaggery.

ground spices added to pressure cooker

10. Mix the pumpkin with the rest of the spices and sugar (or jaggery).

mix pumpkin with spices

Cooking Kaddu Sabji

11. Add ¾ cup or 1 cup of water and edible rock salt (sendha namak) as required. If you are making the recipe on regular days (non-fasting days) then you can use regular salt also instead of rock salt.

water added to pressure cooker

12. Stir and mix well.

mixing water with pumpkin and spices

13. Cover the pressure cooker with a lid and pressure cook for 7 to 8 minutes. if you do not have a pressure cooker then cover the pan with a lid and cook the pumpkin for some 15 to 20 minutes.

You can also make this recipe in the Instant pot adding water as needed.

cover and pressure cooking kaddu ki sabji

14. Pressure cook till the pumpkin becomes soft and mushy. Below is the photo of pressured cooked pumpkin.

Note that open the lid of the pressure cooker only when the pressure inside falls down on its own. This takes some minutes.

pressure cooked kaddu ki sabzi

15. Now mash the cooked and soft pumpkin with a spoon or a vegetable masher.

mashing pumpkin with a spoon

16. Now add ¼ teaspoon garam masala powder and 1 teaspoon dry mango powder (amchur powder).

garam masala powder and dry mango powder added to pumpkin sabzi

17. Stir the mashed pumpkin well and cook for a minute or two. If the sabzi still looks watery or runny to you, then evaporate the water by cooking it without the lid. This kaddu ki sabzi should not be dry nor watery, just in between.

If in case, the sabji has become too thick or pasty, then add some hot water to thin the consistency a bit.

mix the spice blend with kaddu sabji

Garnish with few coriander leaves and serve kaddu ki sabzi hot or warm with Singhare ki poori or Kuttu ki poori or Rajgire ki poori or Rajgira paratha or Kuttu paratha.

If is often served with poori in North and Central parts of India.

kaddu ki sabzi served on a white bowl placed on a white tray

If you are looking for more fasting recipes then do check:

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kaddu ki sabzi served on a white bowl placed on a white tray.

Kaddu ki Sabji (Easy Pumpkin Recipe)

Kaddu ki sabji is an easy and delicious vegan pumpkin recipe made with yellow pumpkin, whole spices and herbs. This is a satvik recipe made without onions and garlic.
4.83 from 34 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Cuisine Indian
Course Main Course
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian
Difficulty Level Moderate
Servings 4
Units

Ingredients

  • 1 small pumpkin (kaddu)
  • ¼ teaspoon fenugreek seeds (methi seeds)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 or 2 dry red chilies (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon red chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Garam Masala
  • 1 teaspoon dry mango powder (amchur)
  • 1 teaspoon sugar or 2 teaspoon crushed jaggery
  • 2 tablespoon oil
  • ¾ cup water or 1 cup water
  • a few chopped coriander leaves for garnishing (optional)
  • rock salt (edible and food grade) or sendha namak (or you can use common salt if not making during religious fasting)

Instructions
 

  • Wash the pumpkin. Peel and chop the pumpkin in small cubes.
  • In a pressure cooker or pan heat oil.
  • Add the fenugreek seeds and cumin seeds and fry for a minute on a low heat.
  • Now add the deseeded red chilies and fry for some 15 seconds. The addition of red chilies is optional or swap them with green chilies.
  • Add the chopped pumpkin and all the dry spice powders except garam masala and dry mango powder.
  • Add the sugar or jaggery.
  • Mix the pumpkin with the rest of the spices and sugar/jaggery. Add water and salt.
  • Cover the cooker with a lid and pressure cook for 7 to 8 minutes on medium heat.
  • If you do not have a pressure cooker then cover the pan with a lid and cook the pumpkin for some 15-20 minutes till they become soft and mushy. You can also make this dish in the Instant pot adding water as required.
  • Now mash the cooked and soft pumpkin with a spoon and add the garam masala and dry mango powder.
  • Stir the mashed pumpkin well and cook for minute or two.
  • If the sabzi still looks watery to you, then evaporate the water from the sabzi by cooking it without the lid. It it has become too thick or pasty, then add some hot water to thin the consistency a bit.
  • This kaddu ki sabzi should not be dry nor watery or runny, just in between.
  • Garnish with coriander leaves and serve kaddu ki sabzi hot with poori or roti.

Notes

  • Note: If making this kaddu sabzi for fasting or vrat then skip the fenugreek seeds, turmeric powder and garam masala. Also use oil that you use for making fasting food. For info about fasting food rules, you can refer to this compiled list of Ingredients allowed during navratri fast.
  • You can use any type of tender fresh yellow or orange pumpkin.
  • You can adjust the amount of sugar or jaggery according to your taste preferences.
  • The recipe can be scaled to make a big batch for a big gathering.

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Kaddu ki Sabji (Easy Pumpkin Recipe)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 167 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 593mg26%
Potassium 1201mg34%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 29125IU583%
Vitamin C 46.8mg57%
Calcium 76mg8%
Iron 3.3mg18%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This Kaddu ki sabji post from the blog archives first published in September 2011 has been republished and updated on 3 September 2021.

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Meet Dassana

Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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80 Comments

  1. I never thought kaddu curry could taste so good and preparation also very simple.5 stars

    1. Thanks for sharing this feedback and rating. Kaddu (Pumpkin) tastes good with the addition of spices and herbs. Some spices really go well with pumpkin.

  2. Tried this today. Outstanding! I usually turn to your blog for any new-to-me Indian recipes. Always get great results, so clearly explained.
    One idea for peeling kaddu: those who have microwave, prick a few holes in the kaddu, then put it whole just as it is in the m/w. Zap for 3-5 mins. Take out and let cool. The kaddu will have softened just a little, and be very easy to peel. If don’t have m/w maybe can steam it covered over boiling water for about 5 mins then try to peel.5 stars

    1. thanks the review and rating on kaddu sabji. also thanks for sharing the tips on removing the peels. i always use a potato peeler and peel raw. tips like these do help.

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