Has Anyone Cooked Pumpkin Leaves and Stems?

Cynthia: Has anyone cooked with pumpkin leaves and stems? I bought them from the farmers’ market and made thoran today. It’s very tasty but it feels a little odd.

Ajit: At my wife’s place, they make Mangalorean Pumpkin Leaves Chutney (Pachendi).

Ingredients:

• A handful of tender pumpkin leaves (the veins removed and chopped)
• 1/2 cup fresh grated coconut
• 5-6 Byadgi dried red chillies
• 1 tbsp urad dal + 1 tsp chana dal
• A small piece of tamarind + 1/2 tsp jaggery
• A pinch of hing (asafoetida) & salt
• Coconut oil for roasting & tempering
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds + 1 sprig curry leaves

Method:

• Sauté the greens: Heat 1 tsp oil. Sauté the leaves with a splash of water for 5 minutes, until soft. Let it cool.
• Roast the spices: Heat 1 tsp oil. Fry the urad dal, chana dal, and red chillies on low heat until golden and aromatic. Turn off the heat and stir in the hing. Let it cool.
• Grind: Blend the roasted spices, cooked leaves, coconut, tamarind, jaggery, and salt into a thick, slightly coarse paste. Add very little water.
• Temper: Heat 1 tbsp oil. Splutter mustard seeds and curry leaves. Pour over the chutney. Perfect with hot rice and ghee! 

Manju: My mom used to make a parippu curry with pumpkin leaves. I don’t remember what the texture of the leaves was like in that curry, but it tasted really good.

Sidha: Yes, I have tried to use it in coconut gravy, thoran or upperi, and soups. Sometimes even in crackers. 

Ajit: You have to choose tender leaves for thoran. Or else, you have to clean all the veins and boil the leaves properly.

Tsarina: Here’s a soup recipe: 

• Pumpkin leaves + pieces (equal volume, don’t pack leaves tightly while measuring), cooked with onion, celery, and a few cashews in a pressure cooker. 
• Then blend to a puree. Add salt and pepper to taste, along with a dash of fresh cream and a pinch of nutmeg powder. 
• Brown a few onion slices (and chilli flakes, if you like it a tad spicy) in butter—use it to garnish the soup, along with some grated cheese.