Sri Lanka Wattakka (Curried Pumpkin)
Submitted by ccjudie
Wattakka is a creamy Sri Lankan pumpkin curry cooked in coconut milk and thickened with ground rice and mustard seeds. Served in the hollowed-out pumpkin shell for a stunning presentation.
YIELD
4 servingsPREP
20 minCOOK
30 minREADY
1 hrsWattakka is one of those dishes where humble pumpkin gets treated like royalty, and the presentation alone is worth the effort.
Cubed pumpkin simmers in thin coconut milk with turmeric, chili, and fried onions until just tender. Then a rich blend of thick coconut milk mixed with ground rice, crushed mustard seeds, and garlic goes in to thicken everything into a velvety, golden curry.
The whole thing gets spooned back into the hollowed-out pumpkin shell, sprinkled with curry powder and lime juice, and brought to the table looking absolutely spectacular.
It is vegetarian, naturally sweet, and quietly one of the most satisfying curries in the Sri Lankan repertoire.
Kitchen Tips
- Scoop the pumpkin flesh carefully, leaving about 2 cm of wall so the shell holds its shape as a serving bowl
- Do not overcook the pumpkin cubes; they should be tender but still hold their shape in the gravy
- Mix the ground rice into the thick coconut milk before adding to the pot to prevent lumps
- The mustard seeds add a subtle sharpness that balances the natural sweetness of the pumpkin
- Serve with flatbread or rice as part of a larger vegetarian Sri Lankan spread
Ingredients
Directions
Wash the pumpkin and cut the top quarter off.
Scoop out the flesh to within 2 cm of sides and cube.
Put the shell to one side for using later.
Slice the onion and chile and crush the garlic. Heat the oil and fry the onion and chile together.
When the onion is soft add the pumpkin, salt, pepper, turmeric and thin coconut milk and cook until the pumpkin is done.
Pour the Coconut milk, thick onto the ground rice, mustard and garlic and add to the pumpkin mixture, stirring as it thickens.
Bring to the boil and simmer for a few minutes.
Remove from heat and spoon into pumpkin shell.
Sprinkle with the curry powder and lime juice.
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