Name: White Pumpkin Sambar or Poosanikkai Sambar
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup tuvar dal; 1/2 tsp turmeric; 2 tsp vegetable oil; 2 tbsp coriander seeds; 1 tbsp chana dal ((bengal gram)); 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds; 2 dry red chillies ((use more if you want a spicier sambar)); 1/4 cup grated coconut or 1/4 cup canned coconut milk; 2 sprigs of curry leaves; 1 tbsp sambar powder; 1 tbsp tamarind paste or if you are using tamarind pods, a 1-inch ball of tamarind soaked in a cup of warm water for at least 30 minutes. Crush the tamarind with your fingers to extract the pulp and discard the stringy solids. Reserve.; 4 cups of white pumpkin cubes. Trim off the dark green skin and dice the white flesh.; 1 tbsp grated jaggery; 1 tsp mustard seeds; A generous pinch of asafetida ((hing))