MATHANGA THORAN/UPPERI - PUMPKIN STIR FRY

     "Mathanga Thoran/Upperi" is a simple Kerala Style stir fry prepared with Yellow Pumpkin/Squash, usually seasoned with mild spices, condiments and finally topped up with few spoons of grated coconut. A simple Vegetable Stir-fry served as a side dish or as one item in an elaborate Sadhya. Cooking stir-fries simply differs regionally in South India and also the names of the dish simply denotes the way it is colloquially called in that particular region.
     Thoran/Upperi is a method of cooking where a vegetable is stir-fried with mild spices and topped with coconut.  Whereas a slightly different version, where they do not add coconut is called Mezhukkupuratti in Kerala.  But even the style of cooking differs with certain regions.  But one thing which is predominantly common in such stir-fry is the one & only Coconut Oil which brings out the authenticity of Kerala Cuisine.
      Thoran/Upperi is a predominant Sadhya Item served along with various other dishes in a Kerala Sadhya(Banquet).  Various Vegetables like, Cabbage, Long Beans, French Beans, Snake Gourd, Bitter Gourd, Beetroot, Carrot, Spinach etc., can be cooked in this method. Even vegetables like Cabbage, & Carrot, Beans & Carrot or all three can be mixed together and prepared in the same way.


Few other Thoran/Upperi which can be served in a Sadhya or a simple Lunch Menu:

• Cabbage Thoran
• Carrot Thoran
• Cabbage, Carrot & Beans Thoran
• Achinga Payar/Long Beans Thoran 
• Cheera/Spinach Thoran 
• Beetroot Thoran/Poriyal 
• Vendakka/Okra Thoran
• Pavakka/Bitter Gourd Thoran
• Cheru Payar Parippu/Yellow Moong Thoran
• Cheru Payar/Green Moong Thoran
• Kovakka/Ivy Gourd Thoran
• Padavalanga/Snake Gourd Thoran 
• Mathanga/Yellow Pumpkin Thoran

For more recipes on SADHYA, click here...


Cuisine - Kerala (South India)
Course - Side dish
Spice Level - Low - Moderate
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 4
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 5 -10 Minutes
Cooking Time - 5 - 7 Minutes

HOW TO COOK MATHANGA THORAN/UPPERI - PUMPKIN STIR FRY

INGREDIENTS :

Yellow Pumpkin - 2 Cups
Shallots - 4-5 Nos.
Ginger - a Small Piece(Optional)
Garlic - 1-2 Cloves
Green Chillies - 2 Nos.
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 Tspn
Coconut - 2-3 Tbspn
Salt - To Taste
Sugar - a Pinch

For Tempering :

Mustard Seeds - 1 Tspn
Curry Leaves - 1 Sprig
Coconut Oil - 1 Tbspn.

METHOD :

• Cut through the Wedges, Clean & Peel the Yellow Pumpkin.
• Remove & discard the centre portion with the seeds.
• Chop the Yellow Pumpkin into small Cubes.
• Finely chop Shallots, Green Chillies & Garlic.
• Heat Oil in a pan, splutter Mustard Seeds and Curry Leaves.
• Add finely chopped Shallots, Green Chillies, Garlic and saute until shallots turn translucent.
• Add Turmeric Powder & give a quick stir on a low flame.
• Add chopped Yellow Pumpkin along with a dash of Salt & a pinch of Sugar.
• Cover and cook briefly.
• Add in grated Coconut and mix well.
• Cook for a while on a low flame.

NOTES :

• Some do not add Onions & Garlic while cooking for a Sadhya.
• Adding Garlic is truly optional.
• I have used Coconut Oil in the recipe, can use any other vegetable oil.