Name: Pumpkin Sambar
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 3/4 cup tuvar dal. Cook in a pressure cooker or in a microwave with 1/2 tsp turmeric and enough water so you have at least a cup of stock you can reserve for the rasam (, along with a spoonful of the cooked lentils); 1 tsp canola or vegetable oil; 1 sprig curry leaves; 1/2 tsp cumin seeds; 1/2 tsp mustard seeds; 2 cups of red pumpkin (, peeled and cut in a 1/2-inch dice. Microwave the pumpkin with 1/2 cup of water for about 7-8 minutes until tender); 1 tsp tamarind extract (, or a 1-inch ball of tamarind, soaked in water, then juices extracted by crushing with fingers); A pinch of asafetida ((hing)); 1 tbsp jaggery ((an unrefined Indian sugar)); For the ground masala:; 1/2 tsp vegetable or canola oil; 1 tbsp coriander seeds; 1 tbsp chana dal or bengal gram dal; 1 tsp udad dal or black gram dal; 3 dried red chillies; 1/4 cup grated coconut; A generous pinch of asafetida; 1 tsp fenugreek seeds ((methi))