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Side dish with pumpkin leaves and shrimp

pumpkin leaves side dish with shrimp
This flavourful side dish is prepared with fresh pumpkin leaves, whole spices, shrimp, plantain, and eggplant. It makes a wholesome healthy meal that goes well with rice. 
pumpkin leaves side dish with shrimp
2 to 3 green chillie
2 to 3 garlic cloves
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp fenugreek seeds
1 tsp fennel seeds
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp black seeds known as nigella or kalonji
1/2 tsp turmeric 
1 tsp salt to taste
1 tbsp lemon juice
6 to 10 pumpkin leaves 
1 to 2 eggplant cut into cubes
1 cooking banana or plantain cut into cubes
few drumsticks or moringa pods optional
15 or more shrimp
1/4 cup water if needed
2 tbsp oil
pumpkin leaves side dish with shrimp
Remove the shell of the shrimp and clean it, then marinate using salt, lemon juice, and turmeric and leave it aside until the other ingredients are prepared. 
pumpkin leaves side dish with shrimp
pumpkin leaves side dish with shrimp
Prepare the fresh pumpkin leaves by washing it well then peel off the prickly outer fibres coming down from the stem to the back of the leaves. When the tip of the stem is broken a little you will see that it is easy to peel the fibres. This will make the leaves less prickly. The soft hollow stems can be chopped into one to two inches. The leaves will cook down so use as many as you have. Chop or tear the leaves and leave it aside.   
pumpkin leaves side dish with shrimp
Mix the whole spices mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds, cumin seeds, and nigella seeds together. Crush the spices lightly with a mortar and pestle and leave a teaspoon of the spices aside. Crush the rest of the whole spices more to a coarse powder and leave it a side. 

Using the mortar and pestle crush the green chillie and garlic and leave it aside. Chop the eggplant and plantain into cubes and leave it aside. 

Heat the oil and then add the teaspoon of lightly crushed whole spices, when it starts to splatter add the green chillie and garlic. Then add the shrimp, when it starting to turn pink add the cubed vegetables and the coarse spice powder. Once the vegetables look sautéd cover the pan and let the vegetables and shrimp cook on low heat covered with a lid for 12 to 15 minutes. It will cook in the liquid coming from the vegetables and the steam and will not require water, but if you think the vegetables are not producing liquid add 1/4 cup of water.
pumpkin leaves side dish with shrimp
Add the pumpkin leaves to the pan and let it cook for about 5 to 10 minutes until the leaves are tender and soft. Add another 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice if needed and adjust the salt to taste. Serve warm with rice.
pumpkin leaves side dish with shrimp
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23 comments:

  1. Looks so yummy with those succulent prawns. And I didn't even know that pumpkin leaves were edible!! Live and learn :-)

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  2. Such a delicious mix of spices!

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  3. Wow! I would never have thought to cook with the pumpkin leaves! Interesting recipe!

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  4. I’ve never seen pumpkin leaves and never realized they could be used for cooking. Maybe one day I’ll have a chance to try them

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  5. Sure sounds so tasty. I love shrimp. My husband would love this.

    Florence Cochane

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  6. I love the detailed instructions thank you for this recipe

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  7. It looks very filling could make a good main course or lunch

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  8. I have never cooked with pumpkin leaves

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  9. So many spices and interesting flavors in this dish

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  10. This looks great ! totally something out of my box , would love to try it . Bookmarking !!

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  11. I never thought you could eat pumpkin leaves

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    Replies
    1. There are a lot of health benefits in eating cooked pumpkin leaves.

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  12. New to me, a must try recipe.. thank you for sharing

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  13. first time hearing about eating pumpkin leaves! interesting recipe!

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  14. I have never tried eating pumpkin leaves before. Very interesting. I will be growing them next year!

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  15. Did not know pumpkin leaves could be eaten! Thanks for sharing!

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  16. I love shrimp and this looks delicious.
    Florence Cochrane

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  17. Now I'm really curious about eating other greens!

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  18. I have never seen a recipe that uses pumpkin leaves before. Very unique.

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  19. This is right up my alley. I never thought of these spice combinations, but I am salivating. I love new tasting experiences.

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Thank you for commenting :)