One of the the lovely things about growing up Indo Guyanese was that I learned what great vegetarian food looks and tastes like. Here are just two things you can try. We also add meat to this dish but you don’t have to do that. I added dried, salted shrimp to the pumpkin and fried fish on top just like Mom does. In fact, this fried fish was cleaned and fried in Guyana by my mother while she wen to visit. She froze it before bringing it home. Same for the dried and salted shrimp. They were cleaned, salted and dried by my mother and other family members in Guyana.
Stewed Pumpkin
Prep Time: 1/2 hour
Cook Time: 20-45 mins depending on how large you dice pumpkin.
INGREDIENTS:
2-3 tbsp Oil (add more if needed, don’t want ingredients to burn)
Pumpkin or Butternut Squash (dice small for fast cooking)
1 onion
5 cloves garlic
1-2 wiri pepper (use another hot chili if you don’t have this but be careful with how much you use)
1 tsp dried or fresh thyme
Salt and Pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Heat oil. Add onion, garlic, pepper.
- Sauté until translucent. Add pumpkin/squash, salt, black pepper and thyme.
- Let cook for a few minutes, cover and lower heat. Pumpkin will begin to lose its water.
- Let cook until pumpkin is easy to mash( and then add dried shrimp if you’re using it).
- Serve over a bed of rice or with roti. You can add other sides but by itself is just fine. Garnish with shopped scallions and done!
Dhal / Split Pea Soup / Lentil Soup
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15-20 mins when using a pressure pot; 1 1/2- 2 hrs if boiling without pressure
INGREDIENTS:
SOUP
1 large pot filled with water if boiling regularly on the stove top; if using pressure pot use about 6 1/2 cups of water for 1 1/2 cup Dhal.
If the soup looks too thin just let it boil down. Salt after desired thickness if you want to be careful of over salting your Dhal.
1 1/2 cup dahl
1/2 a small onion, diced
1 clove garlic, sliced
1-2 wiri wiri pepper, chopped
1/4 tsp tumeric
OIL INFUSION
1 tbsp cumin
3-4 tbsp oil
2 cloves garlic, sliced
INSTRUCTIONS:
- After water has come to a boil, add onion, 1 clove sliced garlic, pepper and dhal.
- After the the peas are completely soft, take a whisk and run it through until the soup is completely liquid. When using a pressure cooker this part will happen fast.
- Next step, heat up oil in a small pan or ladle on the stove top, add garlic and cumin and let roast. After the garlic has a golden color pour this hot oil mixture straight into you boiling soup. It will spit a little but don’t be scared!
- Can be eaten alone with rice or roti. You can also add other sides to that combo AND it can be eaten as soup with a little bread on the side. CAUTION: DO NOT DRINK ON AN EMPTY STOMACH OR YOU WILL BE RUNNING TO THE BATHROOM!
