Bhopla kaddu bharta Pumpkin raita recipe

Bhoplyache bharit - kaddu ka bharta

Bhoplyache bharit or kaddu bharta / Pumpkin raita recipe is very easy to make.

Pumpkin raita is served as a side dish with chapati, rice, roti, paratha etc.

Pumpkin is known as bhopla(Marathi), Kaddu(Hindi), Kumbalkai (Kannada). Pumpkin is easily available in India at all time in the year.

Pumpkin raita - Bhoplyache bharit - Kaddu bharta

Bhoplyache bharit - Kaddu bharta - Pumpkin raita

You may use red pumpkin or yellow/white pumpkin for this bharta. Both taste good in this dish.

How to make pumpkin raita - Bhopla kaddu bharta

Main ingredients for pumpkin raita - Bhopla kaddu bharta

Pumpkin - Bhopla - Kaddu

yogurt - curd

Ingredients for pumpkin bharta for 2-3 servings

Pumpkin pieces – 1 cup
Plain fresh yogurt/curd – ½ cup or more according to taste
Salt – ¼ tsp, more or less according to taste
Sugar – ¼ tsp, more or less according to taste
Roasted peanuts (optional) - 1 tsp

Ingredients for tempering/ tadka

Chili, green or red – 1
Vegetable oil – 1 tsp
Mustard seeds – ¼ th tsp
Cumin seeds – ¼ th tsp
Asafetida – a pinch
Curry leaves – 4-5
Fresh Coriander leaves – 1 tbsp, chopped

Step by step instructions for making pumpkin bharta

Preparation for making bharta –

Wash pumpkin under running water.
Remove skin with a peeler or a sharp knife. Removing skin is not a must. I sometimes leave it on.
Cut pumpkin in about one inch pieces.
Chop chili and coriander leaves.
Crush roasted peanuts (if using) roughly.

Ways to cook pumpkin - Steam cooking pumpkin

We have to first cook pumpkin pieces. Steam pumpkin pieces by any of the following methods, which ever you find convenient.

Add pumpkin pieces and 2 tbsp water in a pan. Cover and cook on low flame till pieces are just done. Check in between and add a little water if necessary.
You may steam pumpkin pieces in a steamer.
Keep in a separator / closed container while cooking rice in a pressure cooker.
You may also steam cook pumpkin in microwave mode. It may take about 2-3 minutes in microwave.

Let the pumpkin pieces cool completely.

Making tempering - tadka for pumpkin raita

Heat oil in a small tadka pan
Add mustard seeds and when they start splattering, add cumin seeds, hing, chili pieces(if adding) and curry leaves.
Stir a little and switch off the flame.
Tempering is ready. Keep aside.

Making pumpkin raita - kaddu ka bharta - bhoplyache bharit

Add the cooked pumpkin pieces in a bowl.

Mash lightly. Add salt and sugar according to taste.

Add the prepared cooled tadka/tempering to the cooked pumpkin.

Add fresh curd/dahi/plain yogurt to the steamed bhopla.

Mix well. Keep aside till serving time.

Keep in the fridge if you like it cool or if you are going to serve it after some time.

Leaving this pumpkin raita / bharta outside may make it sour if you are living in a hot place.

Pumpkin raita - Kaddu ka bharta - Bhoplyache bharit

Tips and variations

If you leave the skin on, the skin does not get cooked very soft along with the pumpkin flesh. I do not mind that. If you do not like that, remove skin.

You may use homemade yogurt or store bought yogurt. Use only plain yogurt.

You may use slightly sour yogurt/curd if you like.