Pumpkin Sambar / பரங்கிக்காய் சாம்பார்

Sambar is a popular and traditional South Indian accompaniment for rice or Idli / Dosa. It is prepared using dhal (lentils), vegetables of your choice, sambar powder, tamarind and spices.

In this recipe, I have used Pumpkin which gives a mild sweetness and unique taste to this dish.

Though I prepare sambar at least twice every week; Its only now I could post this!

Do try this; enjoy with hot rice or as a side dish for any South Indian breakfast item.

Ingredients:

Toor Dahl / Tuvar Dhal / Thuvaram paruppu - ½ cup
Pumpkin -  1 cup ( chopped pieces)
Big Onion - 1 / Small onion - 10 (Chopped)
Tomato - 1 (finely chopped)
Green chillies - 2
Tamarind - a small gooseberry size
Sambar Powder - 1- 1½ tsp
Asafoetida - a pinch
Salt - to taste

For Seasoning:
Mustard seeds - ½ tsp
Urad dhal - ½ tsp 
Fenugreek seeds - ¼ tsp
Curry Leaves - 1 sprig (optional)

Drumstick Leaves / Murungai Keerai Sambar /முருங்கை கீரை சாம்பார்

This is my mother's style sambar preparation using drumstick leaves; this goes well with rice paired with any stir fry or even with pappad!

Drumstick leaves are rich in vitamins & minerals especially high in protein, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C; try and include this in your diet for a healthy living.

Ingredients:

Toor Dahl / Tuvar Dhal / Thuvaram paruppu) - ½ cup
Drumstick leaves - 1 big bunch
Big Onion - 1 / Small onion - 10 (Chopped)
Tomato - 1 (finely chopped)
Tamarind - a small gooseberry size
Sambar Powder - 1 tsp
Asafoetida - a pinch
Salt - to taste

To Grind:
Grated coconut - 2 tbsp
Pepper- tsp- ½ tsp
Cumin seeds- ½ tsp

To Temper:
Mustard seeds - ½ tsp
Urad dhal - ¾ tsp
Fenugreek seeds - ¼ tsp
Curry Leaves - 1 sprig (optional)
Red chillies - 2

Directions:

Pre- preparations:

Separate the leaves from the stalks and wash the leaves.