Parangikkai Paal Kootu | Yellow Pumpkin Milk Stew Recipe | Traditional Curry Recipe

Hi Supermoms,

'Paal' means milk in Tamil Language. The Paal Kootu is a traditional recipe that is made using milk and yellow pumpkin. The light sweetness of the pumpkin makes it the most ideal vegetable  for this curry. I have earlier shared my mother's  'paal kootu ', where she uses the baby pumpkin and also uses coconut in the spice mixture.

Today, I am sharing another version of this paal kootu, that is very simple to make and  tastes really good. I cooked it as a part of our lunch recently and when I shared it in instagram, received lots of requests to update the detailed recipe here. 

This paal kootu tastes best along with a spicy gravy. My grandmother would make serve it as a side dish to Vathal Kuzhambu or Mendhi/Vendaya Kuzhambu. It made an onion/vengaya Vathal Kuzhambu and it was a perfect match. 

This recipe can be made within minutes. If you are vegan, you can substitute dairy with coconut milk or almond milk. We all know the numerous health benefits of yellow pumpkin , especially to our skin and this recipe is a great way to incorporate it in our weekly diet. You can also use jaggery instead of sugar. Add it to the gravy when it is warm to avoid curdling of milk. 

Parangikkai Paal Kootu :

Preparation time : 5 minutes

Cooking time : 20 minutes

Serves : 4

1 cup = 250 ml cup

Ingredients :

250 gm yellow pumpkin ( peeled and cubed)

2 cups milk 

2 teaspoons rice flour 

1 teaspoon sugar/brown sugar/jaggery ( adjust sugar according to taste)

pinch of salt 

To temper :

2 teaspoons coconut oil

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 teaspoon urad dal

3-4 dry red chillies ( I used Salem gundu milagai, small variety)

1 sprig curry leaves 

Method :

1. Mix the rice flour along with 1/2 cup of milk and set it aside.

2. Steam the cubed yellow pumpkin till they are fork tender.

Chef tip : This step will take 10 minutes.

3. Heat a wide pan or kadai/small wok with oil over low flame and temper with ingredients given for the same.

4. Now add the steamed yellow pumpkin and mix well.

5. Add milk mixed with rice flour , sugar and the remaining milk and continue to cook over low flame.

6. You will see that the kootu/gravy is thickening, switch off. 

Chef tip : This step will take 6-7 minutes only. If adding jaggery, switch off and add when the kootu is warm. 

Your delicious Parangikkai paal kootu is now ready to be served along with rice or grains of your choice.  

Happy Cooking !

With love,

Masterchefmom