Winter was for soaking the sunny warmth of the afternoon sun. Sitting in the verandah, treating ourselves to fresh gajjak (sesame and jaggery brittle) and chikki (peanut brittle) was a favourite past time. And when the grandparents were visiting, the party got merrier. We would snuggle up to granny, as she told us stories, often becoming characters ourselves and drifting into a dream world of our own. Those were the glory days of childhood.
One sunny afternoon, granny began telling us the story of two friends, Question and Mark. While Question liked asking about everything, Mark was the one who would try to find suitable answers and responses. Very often Mark would be found wanting for a proper reply, and that would make Question seem larger than life. It almost threatened their friendship. The only sure way for them to remain friends was for Question to seek an answer and for Mark to provide one. This kept their relation secure and this was how they wanted it.
“Have you ever wondered upon the irony of life?” said Question one day, looking quizzically at Mark, “Why does a big tree like the amla (Indian gooseberry) have tiny berries? While a slim and slender pumpkin vine have such a heavy and gigantic fruit?” Mark was flummoxed, Question had started a new line of philosophical quizzing and he really wasn’t ready for it. Moreover, this had a bit of botany involved as well. How was he going to answer that?
They went and sat under the gooseberry tree while Mark pondered a reply. Question had begun to loom large and fear began to well up inside Mark. He knew this wouldn’t be easy. As he looked up, two ripe berries plopped on top of Question’s head. It was as though Providence was on his side. Mark now knew that he had him where he wanted. There was no need to articulate that, he smiled and looked at Question and said, “Imagine if those had been two pumpkins!” With that Question and Mark walked off to solve another of life’s mysteries.
We looked at granny as she smiled and placed two plates of hot pumpkin Gharge with pickles in front of us. Granny always liked to end with a delicious ‘morsel of the story’. This is a great time to play with pumkins. The soft flesh of the pumpkin lends itself to many wonderful creations. Roast, puree and use in a soup; make a pie; steam and serve with a hot tadka; Soft cook and serve partially mashed with a grated coconut and mustard tempering. Mash the roasted flesh, mix with herbs and ricotta and use as a pasta filling. Roast big chunks and serve with grilled pork chops or duck. Season with balsamic or just toss with burnt garlic. Practically just go wild!
Bhoplyache Gharge
As children we used to enjoy this snack on winter afternoons when we came back from school. This was an intersting way for mum to get us to like our veggies. The making style is like a poori and it is quite simple to do.
Ingrdients
(Makes about 12 pcs)
- Pumpkin, skinned and chopped: 250 gm
- Rice flour: 1 cup
- Maida: 4-5 tbsp plus some to knead
- Saunf seeds: 1 tbsp
- Oil: 1 tbsp
- Sugar: 30 gm
- Oil: To fry
Method
- Skin and chop the pumpkin into 1 inch pieces.
- Steam in a steamer for 25 minutes or till soft
- Allow to cool and puree the pumpkin.
- In a large bowl, mix 1 cup of rice flour and 2 tbsp of refined flour and ½ cup of fine sugar.
- Add 1 tsp of coarsely powdered fennel seeds.
- Add 1 tbsp of oil and knead it together with the pumpkin puree.
- Knead into a stiff but pliable dough. Keep aside covered with a damp cloth.
- Heat the oil.
- Cut small pieces and roll into medium size discs.
- Fry in medium hot oil till puffed and drain on absorbent kitchen paper.
- Enjoy as a snack with a hot cup of ginger tea accompanied with a spicy pickle.
The writer is the executive chef at The Park, Hyderabad
