Update: This recipe was the Primal Palate winner of Best Savory Recipe for the 2015 Fall Fest contest
I was visiting family last week. Aunts, uncle, and cousins who I haven't seen in a really long time. I haven't seen these cousins in over 20 years, and now they are cool young men (and I discovered that one of them has the identical illegible handwriting as me, and that the other one is an adventurous foodie!).
We all took turns helping in the kitchen. I thought it was a little weird that my dad offered to cook curry chicken since I know he loves his sisters' curries. Don't get me wrong, it was awesome! They just each have their own style which I haven't had in a long time. Dad put me in charge of a vegetable dish and, as is my style, I wanted to do something a little different. My sister helped me develop this Curried Pumpkin and Apple with Raisins (you can thank her for the raisins!). My aunts approved of this one and said they'd make it back home! I should put up a badge on this recipe for that stamp of approval!
I was able to spend 4 days with everyone. It was so fantastic to catch up, and really to “meet” my cousins; these young men I didn't know very well. My aunts had a bunch of interesting stories about Dad, each other, and the rest of the family from back in the day. Jobs that I didn't know they had, stories of ex-girlfriends, habits that drove each other nuts, etc. And this was the first time I had the chance to have a few drinks with my uncle. He and my aunt told me stories about how they met, the jobs they've had, and the moves they made. Seeing another side of relatives is so informative!
I'm not used to having 8-9 people sharing breakfast and supper each day (normally my meals are just myself with or without a friend). The family discussions were really interesting and entertaining (my uncle is both hilarious and very informative), ranging in topics from religion and politics to stories from their youth. I miss these conversations and will cherish the memory of this visit always. Thank you to all of you who were there. I love you all.
Looking for another Indian twist on the traditional? Check out Curried Apple Sauce.
Share this dish with loved ones. Thanksgiving is coming…

Curried Pumpkin and Apple with Raisins
- Yield: 5-6 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 1 large onion (diced)
- 1/2 medium pumpkin -approx. 5-6 cups (skinned and cut 1/2 inch cubes)
- 2 gala apples (skinned and cut into 1/2 inch tubes)
- 1/2 – 1 serrano pepper (depending on your heat preference – seeded if you're sensitive)
- 2 cloves crushed garlic
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 2 heaping Tbsp garam masala
- 1.5 tbsp cumin seed
- 1 – 1 1/2 cups chicken stock (or veggie stock)
- 1/2 cup almonds (sliced)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 2 Tbsp ghee
- salt to taste
optional
- 12 medium-sized curry leaves (diced – if you have access to this – my aunt was growing some)
- 1/2 – 1 Tbsp crushed chili peppers
Instructions
- Saute onions (with some salt) in a large pot in ghee over medium heat until onions are soft and brown.
- Add pumpkin, garam masala, garlic, cumin seeds, serrano pepper, crushed chilies, and a cup of stock.
- Cook until pumpkin is soft (about 20 minutes) add extra stock if needed.
- Add apples, curry leaves, raisins, and cilantro. Cook for 5-10 minutes until apples are warm and softened.
- Add almonds and garnish with cilantro.
- Cuisine: Indian
Nav LOVED the pumpkin, said you did a perfect Punjabi curry (thurka)…her eyes even went wide with surprise/awe! I loved it too, I might even call it one of my favs 🙂
The Aunts and Chef Nav! Yay!
And me! :p
I’m so glad you had that time with the family. Sounds like there are some stories there that I might like to hear! Love the pictures! This is another one you may have to make at Thanksgiving!
Are you planning on adding every post from now until then on the menu? Haha
That sounds like a great idea to me!! You’re creating a wicked menu Ruth! Haha
Sometimes it’s really hard to find inspiration and great recipes to recreate as weeknight dinners for my vegetarian household. So thanks for sharing this delicious curried pumpkin recipe, you can definitely consider that I will be making it!
Hope your family enjoys it as much as mine!
This sounds delicious! I love the garam masala in there, one of my favorite spices! I bet the raisins are so yummy in this dish.
I’m such a big fan of these spices. Very fun with pumpkin and apple!
So excited about fall recipes! This one looks amazing!
I love any sort of Indian flavors and these spices sound amazing paired with pumpkin!
Right?!
Sweet, delicious, and nutritious. Love it !
What a great flavor combo. YUM!!!
Family time is the best and impressing the best family cooks, even better!!! This sounds divine!!!
I love how well Indian spices go with fall produce and ingredients. This is a perfect example of that! Thanks for sharing, will have to try it as a side dish for dinner next time.
Yum yum yum, love a new way to enjoy curry and I always love it with the sweet and spicy flavours, a great recipe, thanks for sharing..
Totally agree, thank you!
Always love your write-ups and the context!!! Love it.
Thanks Darryl! So glad that you like our stuff!
Such a great idea for a savory fall dish!