Mathanga Erissery | Pumpkin Erissery

Pumpkin erissery Or mathanga erissery Is a mild and tempered curry with light sweet tones made with pumpkin, cowpeas & coconut. Gluten-free and vegan.

It is one of the essential dishes that is served during onam sadya. This dish is also known as Elisseri in some parts of Kerala.

Since onam is around the corner, I thought of posting at least one onam sadya recipe :-). I had purchased the pumpkin originally to make halwa, but ended up making this delicious pumpkin erissery two days back.

For the pumpkin erissery recipe i looked into two authentic sources for Kerala cuisine – on nag’s blog Edible garden and a Kerala cookbook I have. The recipes in both the sources were almost the same, especially coming to the correct technique & method.

I have adapted the recipe from both the sources and stayed true to the authenticity. If you are looking for authentic onam recipes then do check nag’s collection of Kerala onam sadya recipes.

Apart from pumpkin, I have even used black-eyed cowpeas. Though red cowpeas are also added. I did not have red cowpeas.

This erissery recipe is pretty straightforward and simple. Both the cowpeas and pumpkin are cooked and then coconut paste is added to them and simmered. Later to be tempered in coconut oil with some mustard, curry leaves and coconut. Coconut oil gives you the true authentic taste, but if you don’t have it, then use any vegetable oil instead.

Erissery can also be made with yam, unripe plaintains. Apart from cowpeas, pigeon peas (arhar dal) is also traditionally added.

It tastes best with steamed rice. You can also serve it along with Sambar and rice.

Preparation

• Rinse the cowpeas well in water.
• Pressure cook them with 2 or 2.5 cups water with some salt till they are cooked completely. Drain and keep aside.
• Rinse the pumpkin & peel and chop into cubes.

Making Mathanga Erissery

• Take the pumpkin cubes and 1 cup water in a pan.
• Add turmeric powder, red chili powder and salt.
• Cover the pan and cook the pumpkin for 12-15 minutes or more on a low flame till they are cooked.
• Check the pumpkin a few times when they are cooking, to see if the water has not dried up. If the water dries up, then add some more water and continue to cook.
• When the pumpkin is cooking, take the grated coconut, green chili and cumin in a grinder jar.
• Add 1/2 cup water and grind to a smooth paste.
• Add this coconut paste to the pumpkins. also add the cooked cowpeas.
• Add 1/2 cup water or more if the consistency looks thick.
• Stir well and place the pan on fire and simmer for 10-12 minutes or more till the flavors are well blended.
• If the curry becomes thick, add some more water.
• When done cover with a lid and keep aside.

Making Tempering For Mathanga Erissery

• In a small pan, heat coconut oil. crackle the mustard seeds first.
• Then add the curry leaves and the red chilies.
• Fry till the curry leaves start to become crisp and the color of the red chilies change.
• Add the coconut and saute till the coconut becomes golden.
• The fresh coconut gratings absorb all the oil.