I love raitas and I love red pumpkin/gummidikaya/lal bhopla. So Lal Bhopla Bharit is a great favourite of mine. I first had it, some two decades ago, at the home of a Maharashtrian friend and ever since, I make it often.

Lal Bhopla Bharit or Lal Bhopla Raita is a great accompaniment to rotis. It also goes very well with spicy pulaos and biryanis where its sweetness offsets the spiciness.

Ingredients

1. Lal Bhopla/Gummidikaya/Red Pumpkin – 200 gms
2. Yoghurt – 3/4 Cup
3. Green Chillies – 2 or 3
4. Mustard Seeds – 1/2 tsp
5. Cumin Seeds – 1/2 tsp
6. Crushed roasted groundnuts – 2 tbsp
7. Oil – 1/2 tsp
8. Sugar – A Pinch
9. Salt to Taste

Method

1. Grate the pumpkin, sprinkle one tablespoon of water, and pressure cook for two or three whistles.
2. Let the pumpkin cool.
3. Add well-beaten yogurt and sugar, and mix well.
4. In a ladle, heat the oil.
5. Add the mustard seeds and wait till they splutter.
6. Add cumin seeds and fry till they just start to turn brown.
7. Add split green chillies and fry for 1-2 minutes.
8. Add the seasoning to the bharit/raita.
9. Add the crushed roasted groundnuts and salt.
10. Mix well.
11. Serve with rotis.

Related articles

• Boondi Raita (aahaaramonline.com)
• Kakdi Raita or Cucumber Raita (Cucumber Yoghurt Relish) (aahaaramonline.com)
• Vegetable Raita (nava-k.com)
• Mukkala Pulusu, Teepi Pulusu or Bellam Pulusu (aahaaramonline.com)
• Gummadikaya Koora (Lal Bhopla Bhaji/Red Pumpkin Curry) (aahaaramonline.com)
• Roasted Pumpkin Soup (aahaaramonline.com)
• Boondi Raita (ghadgenilesh.wordpress.com)
• Beetroot Raita (myyummybite.wordpress.com)
• Cucumber Raita (chutneysnsalads.wordpress.com)