Mathanga Erissery (Kerala Pumpkin and Lentil Curry)
Sweet pumpkin and soft lentils in a coconut gravy, finished with a crackling mustard and curry leaf tarka.
Made with Tarka dal base and South Indian coconut curry base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time45 mins
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.29 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Put the pumpkin, turmeric and 100 ml water in a pan. Cover and cook for 12 minutes, until soft but still holding its shape.
12 min - 2
Add your ready made tarka dal base (see the base recipe) and your ready made South Indian coconut base (see the base recipe). Simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring in a little water if too thick.
10 min - 3
Meanwhile, toast the desiccated coconut in a dry pan for 2 minutes until golden. Tip into a bowl.
2 min - 4
Heat the coconut oil in a small pan. Add the mustard seeds and when they pop add the chillies and curry leaves. Fry for 30 seconds.
0 min 30 s - 5
Pour the tarka over the curry. Taste and add salt, then scatter with the toasted coconut and serve with rice.
Tips
- Butternut squash works well if you cannot find pumpkin.
- Keep the pumpkin cubes whole for texture, stirring gently.
- Stay by the pan when the mustard seeds pop. They burn within seconds.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 to 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Is it vegan and gluten free?
Yes, it is vegan and free from gluten, dairy and egg. Coconut is not usually counted as a tree nut for labelling, but ask your doctor if you have a tree nut allergy.
Can I use frozen pumpkin?
Yes. Use frozen cubes straight from the freezer and cook for 15 minutes.
What do I serve it with?
Kerala style red rice or plain basmati rice, and a simple stir fried green vegetable.
More made with tarka dal base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
