Pumpkin and Potato Stirfry

Pumpkin isn't a favorite with several. But, it is a vegetable that is relished in several states like U.P., Bihar and West Bengal. The sweetness in Pumpkin tends to go very well with the subtle taste of Potatoes and that's why Pumpkin is widely made with Potatoes. In Bengal, a dish called 'Kumro Chenchki' is very popular and is basically a Stir fry with Red Chillies and Potatoes. Here is what you need to make this simple dish:

About 3 cups pumpkin ( cleaned of seeds and fibers, skin on, cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
2-3 pieces of Dry red chillies
About 2 cups Potatoes (Skin removed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
1/2 tsp Panch phoron (5 Spices)
1 Tbsp Sugar
Salt
1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder and Turmeric
1 cup of water
1 Tbsp Mustard / Vegetable Oil - It tastes better with Mustard Oil
1 pinch of Asfoetida (hing) - Optional


Recipe:
Heat the Mustard oil in a frying pan until smoking. Now add the Panch Phoron, Asfoetida and Red Chillies (broken into small pieces) into the oil and let them crackle. Add the pumpkin, potatoes, salt, sugar, red chilli powder adn the Turmeric. Stir Fry for 4-5 mins. Add the salt and pour the water. Cook for another 5-6mins or till the vegetables get a bit soft. Serve hot with Luchis or Rice.

My mom used to add Black peas or Black Chana in the mustard oil. That also tastes really nice! You can try that too.