This Indian pumpkin curry is a delicious and healthy vegetable curry that can be made in less than 30 minutes for a weeknight dinner. It’s also vegan and gluten-free! 

indian pumpkin curry garnished with cilantro in a bowl
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

I have shared an instant pot pumpkin curry recipe before; this time, I am sharing a mashed pumpkin curry. This is a Punjabi-style pumpkin curry, also called pethe ki sabzi (petha is pumpkin in Punjabi).

This is like curried mashed pumpkin, which would be an excellent side for the Thanksgiving meal. If you like pumpkins, they are going to be a favorite for sure, just like roasted pumpkin soup!

It is a sweet and spicy pumpkin curry recipe. It has the sweetness of the pumpkin, the spiciness of the Indian spices, and the tanginess of the dry mango powder or lime juice.

Some people call this curry Pumpkin Bharta, or Kaddu ka bharta, an apt name, as it is mashed similar to baingan bharta.

Traditionally, this curry is made with red pumpkin. However, you can also use kabocha squash or butternut squash to make this easy pumpkin curry. Enjoy it with paratha or naan, or even better with poori.

Another way I have been using all the pumpkins is by making pumpkin dal and pumpkin puree, which can be used in a variety of dishes. I have used it in pancakes, parathas, and pies already.

And if you want to try a Thai version, check out this Thai pumpkin red curry or Thai pumpkin chicken curry made in an instant pot. Or air fryer roasted pumpkin and pumpkin feta salad as a wonderful Fall side dish.

Don’t throw away the pumpkin seeds, and make these crunchy, delicious roasted pumpkin seeds in the air fryer or oven.

indian meal of pumpkin curry, Chana Dal and roti
Pumpkin curry with Chana Dal and Roti

Watch How to Make Pumpkin Curry

Health benefits of pumpkin

The bright orange color of the pumpkin means that it is loaded with an important antioxidant, beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body. Beta-carotene offers protection against diseases as well as some degenerative aspects of aging.

Pumpkins also have loads of fiber, and they are low in calories. Hence they are a great way to include fiber-rich vegetables in your diet or to add to a low-carb/keto diet.

Want more Vegan Recipes? Check out this collection of 65+ Vegan Indian Recipes.

How to Make?

This is an easy recipe that can be made on the stovetop or in a pressure cooker.

The hardest part is peeling and cutting the pumpkin. You don’t have to cut very small pieces as after cooking, we will mash the pumpkin.

I like to cook this curry in ghee. It adds tremendously to the taste. You can also make ghee at home in the instant pot; see the recipe here. To keep this curry vegan, use your favorite plant-based oil.

Stovetop Method

Start by heating a large pan on medium-high heat. Add ghee, and then sauté cumin seeds, chilies, onion, ginger, and garlic. After the onions have softened, add tomato and spices. Stir well.

Now add the pumpkin pieces and some water. Give it a quick stir.

steps to make pumpkin curry indian style (kaddu ki subzi)

Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes on medium heat, stirring in between.

Check that the pumpkin is softened by mashing a piece.

Then, add the garam masala, amchur powder (dry mango powder), and sugar (or jaggery) and mix well.

You can enjoy the pumpkin curry as is with chunks or mash it using a potato masher.

mashing cooked pumpkin to make Pete ki subzi

Garnish with cilantro and enjoy with roti or paratha.

indian khatti meethi kadu ki subzi in a bowl

Pressure Cooker Method

Follow the same steps as above. After adding the pumpkin, spices, and water, pressure cook for 2-3 whistles on medium-high heat.

If using an instant pot, pressure cook for 4 minutes on high pressure.

Then, follow the steps to mash the pumpkin. If there is any residual water, which may happen depending on the pumpkin, you can change to saute mode and cook for a couple of minutes. 

Garnish with cilantro leaves, and enjoy!

Pro Tips

  • If the pumpkin is not as sweet, add some sugar, which is completely optional.
  • You can eat the pumpkin curry as is, or you can mash some pieces using a masher. Both ways taste great, in my opinion.
  • Do not skip adding the amchur powder (or lime juice). This adds a wonderful tangy flavor to the curry.

What to Pair with Pumpkin Curry?

  • Enjoy with parathas (Indian flatbread) or naan.
  • A side of yogurt or raita goes great with this curry.
  • A light lentil soup (moong dal – yellow or green) or Chana Dal.
  • Serve it as a replacement for a low-carb side dish in place of mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving.

Enjoy this easy and delicious Pumpkin Curry.

More Indian Curry Recipes You’ll Love:

4.94 from 16 votes

Indian Pumpkin Curry (Kaddu ka bharta)

This Indian pumpkin curry is a delicious and healthy vegetable curry that can be made in less than 30 minutes for a weeknight dinner. Vegan & gluten free!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Video

Ingredients 

  • 600 grams Pumpkin , about 4 cups, peeled and cut pieces
  • 1 tablespoon Ghee or Oil
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds (Jeera)
  • 1 Green Chili Pepper, diced, optional
  • 1/2 tablespoon Ginger, grated
  • 1/2 tablespoon Garlic , minced
  • 1 cup Onion, diced
  • 1 cup Tomato , chopped
  • 1/4 cup Water
  • 1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala
  • 1 teaspoon Dry Mango powder (Amchur), or lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sugar, or crushed jaggery, adjust to taste
  • Cilantro leaves, to garnish

Spices

Instructions 

  • Start with heating a large pan (or kadhai) on medium-high heat. Add oil to it.
  • Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle. Then add green chili, onions, ginger and garlic and saute for 3-4 minutes minutes until the onions soften.  
  • Then add tomatoes and spices. Stir them well and let the tomatoes soften for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add cut pumpkin pieces and water. Mix well.  Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes until the pumpkin is cooked through. Check that the pumpkin is softened by mashing a piece.
  • Add garam masala, dry mango powder, sugar and mix with the pumpkin.  You can eat this curry as is with some chunks or mash the cooked pumpkin pieces with a masher in the pot.
  • Garnish with cilantro and pumpkin curry is ready to be enjoyed with parathas or naan. 

Pressure Cooker Method

  • Follow the same steps as above. After adding the pumpkin, spices and water, pressure cook for 2-3 whistles on medium-high heat. If using an instant pot, pressure cook for 4 minutes on high pressure. Then follow the steps to mash the pumpkin.
  • If there is any residual water after pressure cooking, which may happen depending on the pumpkin, you can change to saute mode and cook for couple of minutes. Garnish with cilantro leaves and enjoy!

Notes

  • If the pumpkin is not as sweet, then you can add some sugar or jaggery powder, but this is completely optional.
  • You can choose to eat the pumpkin curry as is with some chunks or you can mash using a masher. Both ways tastes great in my opinion.

Nutrition

Serving: 227gCalories: 110kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 3gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 628mgPotassium: 681mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 13127IUVitamin C: 24mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 2mg

Additional Info

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: North Indian
Diet: Gluten-free, Vegan
Tried this recipe?Mention @pipingpotcurry or tag #pipingpotcurry!

About Meeta

I strongly believe that each one of us has a chef inside us, we just need to explore the ingredients and create great food. My passion is to share easy, healthy, and wholesome recipes made using Instant Pot & Air Fryer, that are well tested, so you can cook with confidence.

You May Also Like

Get new recipes sent to your inbox!
Don't miss out! Subscribe and get all the new recipes first.
4.94 from 16 votes (13 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




10 Comments

  1. I made this with butternut squash and used maple syrup as sweetener. lime juice worked well since mango poweder was not available here in Juneau AK. It was delicious!

  2. I roasted the pumpkin in the oven for 20 mins before adding to tarka for that Smokey roasted flavour. Turned out delicious! I used Halloween pumpkin

  3. This might be a dumb question, but will this recipe work if you use pureed canned pumpkin? In the winter where I live I cannot find fresh pumpkin.

    1. Hi Cleo – Sorry, I have never tried this with canned pumpkin, so cannot say for sure f it will work well. Would love to hear if you give it a try!