Kaddu (Sweet and Sour Butternut Squash) Recipe (2024)

Recipe from Priya Krishna and Ritu Krishna

Adapted by Priya Krishna

Updated Nov. 14, 2023

Kaddu (Sweet and Sour Butternut Squash) Recipe (1)

Total Time
About 25 minutes
Rating
4(833)
Notes
Read community notes

This cozy vegetable main is an ode to earthy, maple-y fenugreek, a staple spice of Indian cooking that is a perfect match for the mild sweetness of butternut squash. Normally roasted, butternut squash is gently stewed here with ginger, onion, turmeric, tomatoes and brown sugar, bringing out a unique and addictive sweet-and-sour flavor. Kaddu is traditionally paired with puri, a type of fried bread, but roti, tortillas and even toast work well with this bright and hearty one-pot dish. —Priya Krishna

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

  • 2tablespoons olive oil
  • 1teaspoon fenugreek seeds
  • ½teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2tablespoons minced fresh ginger
  • ½teaspoon red chile powder, such as cayenne
  • ¼teaspoon asafetida (optional)
  • 1medium butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled, seeded and cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 1teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • 4medium Roma tomatoes, cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 2tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime), plus more as needed
  • 2tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 2tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (stems and leaves), for garnish

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

191 calories; 7 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 33 grams carbohydrates; 5 grams dietary fiber; 11 grams sugars; 3 grams protein; 486 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Kaddu (Sweet and Sour Butternut Squash) Recipe (2)

Preparation

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  1. Step

    1

    In a large (12-inch) deep sauté pan over medium heat, warm the oil. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the fenugreek seeds and cook until they start to sputter, which should be within seconds. Reduce the heat to medium-low and swirl in the turmeric. Add the onion and sauté until it just starts to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the ginger, chile powder and asafetida (if using), and cook for 1 minute. Add the butternut squash and salt, cover and cook until the squash is tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

  2. Stir in the tomatoes, lime juice and brown sugar. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the tomatoes are soft but still retain their shape, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Taste and adjust the lime juice and salt according to taste. Garnish with the cilantro and serve warm.

Ratings

4

out of 5

833

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

kyra

I thought this was a really good recipe! Sweet, sour, spicy. Yum! I used mustard seeds instead of fenugreek. I ended up having to cook the squash about 8-10 extra minutes. And did 1/4 tsp of regular chili powder and 1/4 of cayenne. I like spicy but think it would have been too spicy with a full 1/2 tsp cayenne. Next time I think I’d add a little crunch with either some chopped roasted peanuts or fried shallots!

megan

This turned out amazing! The flavor was incredible! Only substitutions were using acorn squash instead of butternut, and I used 1 can diced tomatoes instead of fresh, since the ones at the store were looking a little sad. I am going to make this again and again!

Shailaputri

This is an excellent recipe. If you're preparing this for Navarati, skip the onions and tumeric, which are not allowed during the fast. You can also include green chiles, mustard seeds, cumin seeds as well as tamarind, which are all allowed.

Thomas

This was delicious, I’ll be making it many more times. I cooked the squash a while longer, ~45 min on medium low till it was soft and partially broken down and saucy. Used canned tomatoes, no other changes. Really delicious, the flavors are bright and multilayered, balanced, substantial but not heavy - beautiful.

jennysorel

I agree this is a delicious dish. I didn’t find fenugreek seeds, so I used 1/2 tsp ground fenugreek that I added with the turmeric. @Kyra, I used 1/2 tsp cayenne as recipe calls for - not too spicy. I used local, organic yellow cherry tomatoes from the farmers market, and maple syrup in place of the brown sugar. Don’t leave off the cilantro. It definitely adds something to provide the full umami flavor. The 25 min. is just cooking time. W/ peeling, chopping, etc, this took a good hour to make.

Janet

Just gorgeous! Rarely do I have everything for a recipe on-hand, but I did today. Taking the convenience route with pre-cut organic squash and diced tomatoes, it came together fairly quickly. The squash cubes were much larger than the recipe specified, so the cooking time was longer, and I stirred everything a few times to be sure the squash was cooked. PS: if you grind several peeled ginger roots in a mini-processor and freeze it in 1 tablespoon clumps, you can do recipes like this in a flash.

Anisha

My Mom makes this every year for Diwali. She used pumpkin which is a nice way to deal with non-carved pumpkins you may have gotten for Halloween. She cuts them into large chunks, leaving the peal on. No onions, or tomato, but adds in green chilis and powdered coriander. So tasty!

Deirdre Fitzgerald

This was a fantastic "yellow" dish to replace our tired sweet potatoes with marshmallows for the Thanksgiving feast. I prepped the squash and onions the day before which made cooking a breeze and used canned diced tomatoes (15 oz) instead of the roma tomatoes. I cooked it down to soften it (30 min) but left the squash with some firmness. Even more delicious the next day as a breakfast side with eggs!

CBB

Delightful mix of sweet, sour and spice. To add protein, added drained can of chickpeas and fried in oil before adding fenugreek seeds. Used a little less than Tablespoon of brown sugar and subbed plum tomatoes and grape tomatoes for Roma. Came together quite easily in wok. Served over quinoa. Definitely will make again and again.

Sean

I make stovetop squash and sweet potato dishes all the time -- but here's a tip, chop them up and throw the chunks in a steamer basket for five-ten minutes before adding to the saute pan. This softens them up and makes them more amenable to mixing with the other ingredients. I find it hard to believe you can cook raw squash this way in only 10 mins!

Morfydd

Allow time for the prep; I wrestled with the squash for a while! Excellent flavours, even though I had to sub mustard seeds. No coriander so topped with parsley and green onion. Served up with toasted naan, mango chutney and a few nuts. Happy Thanksgiving to American cooks from up in the North!

Gloria

I found that leftovers were great in salads. I used baby spinach, cubed avocado, and goat cheese, with olive oil and Japanese rice vinegar, and a glop (however much you want) of the squash. Interesting flavors - I may make the recipe in the future just to have On hand for salads.

Jim

Cooked exactly as directed but in an Instant Pot. 30 minutes and it was perfect and delicious.

Amanda

A different way to serve butternut squash. The mix of spices come together nicely. However there is no way butternut squash will soften in 15 minutes. It took me closer to 40 minutes.

susan

Adapted a bit based on what I had on hand. Used Panch Puron Indian spice mix, 14 Oz can of fire roasted tomatoes, drained. Smallish squash so reduced everything accordingly. Very adaptable recipe. Loved it. Will keep in rotation.

The Groovy Gourmet

Made this last night with an array of other Indian inspired dishes. My kids and I loved it...btw, kids are 29 (haha).

Alan Scott

Didn't have fenugreek so substituted maple syrup and omitted the the brown sugar as well.Also, substituted canned tomatoes without the juice for the fresh tomatoes. Also substituted Korean gochugaru for the red pepper flakes.

Renana

Made this for Thanksgiving as suggested in the video. Easy, interesting, and delicious! Flavors I haven't experienced for a long time. Probably need to find more uses for my fenugreek and asafetida.

dduck

The video shows that she does not peel the squash at all!

Meira

Yes, though we found that when we followed her model and didn't peel the squash, we ended up eating tough squash skin which wasn't fun. Next time I make it, I'm definitely peeling the squash!

Meira

Outstanding depth and complexity of flavor and very easy to make. 1/2" cubes of squash easily cooked in the time suggested. Used canned tomatoes; otherwise made no alterations. (I did use asafetida, which is always good.) Served with quick flatbreads; would also be good with rice.

Sharon B

I’m afraid this one was a rare dud for me. I was pretty faithful to the recipe. I just didn’t love the flavor and texture. If I were to try to tweak this recipe (I do love fenugreek), I might roast the squash cubes ahead of assembling the curry. I think a little caramelization might help.

Michael Maggs

Delicious!

kathleen

I only had two small honey nut squash, so I added in chard, which worked really well. I loved this.

Hannah

I love this recipe - one of my all time favorite ways to prepare squash. Similar to others I sometimes have to cook the squash a bit longer, and often use canned diced tomatoes especially during the winter.

LM

Amazing! Put a fried egg on top

DH

In the video for this recipe, the author seems to cut and cook the squash unpeeled.

Meira

Yes. I followed that example when I cooked it but I was using a long-stored squash and the peel was quite noticeable when we were eating it. In the future I will either use a fresh/younger squash or peel it.

LisaAnne

This was easy to make and delicious but with 1/2 tap of cayenne ours was tongue tingling hot. And we like spicy. I would use less next time but some yogurt mixed with lime juice, salt and pepper tamed the heat.

Bbrown

Made this for Thanksgiving. Excellent, and my guests liked it too.

d w

Loved it. I could only find pumpkin but it was delicious. Honestly I could have gone even spicier when I tasted it so I served with some green pepper flakes.

c marvin

This is SO good. And pretty for company. I added chopped roasted peanuts as another post suggested and think the taste and crunch are essential. Also followed another post by steaming squash in advance for 10 mins. Made the rest of the cooking go quickly.

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Kaddu (Sweet and Sour Butternut Squash) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are kaddu and pumpkin the same? ›

Kaddu and pumpkin are actually the same thing. "Kaddu" is the Hindi name for pumpkin, which is a type of winter squash that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is a highly nutritious vegetable that is low in calories and high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? ›

How does Gordon Ramsay cook butternut squash? He first tosses the butternut squash in oil, maple syrup, salt, and pepper and then cooks it in the oven at 400°F for about 25 minutes.

What is the Indian name for butternut? ›

noun
butternut squashबल्टर स्क्वैश
butternut lakeब्यूटर्नट झील
butternut barkपरचतु छाल
butternut valleyब्यूटर्नट वैली
butternut pumpkinबेतरतीब कद्दू
5 more rows

What is the difference between kabocha and Kuri? ›

Kabocha can be dark green with mottled blue-gray striping, or a deep red-orange color that resembles Red Kuri. You can tell the difference between red Kabocha and Red Kuri by their shape: Kabocha is round but flattened at stem end, instead of pointed. The flesh is smooth, dense, and intensely yellow.

What will call kaddu in English? ›

A pumpkin is a large, round, orange-coloured vegetable with a thick skin.

What is the Indian name for kaddu? ›

Kaddū in English is called ' pumpkin; gourd ' . India is overflowing with a large number of fruits and vegetables which have no equal words in the English language. Kaddu is a very famous vegetable item across the country from Kanya Kumari to Kashmir and from Dvarakā to Somanātha .

Is it necessary to peel butternut squash before cooking? ›

Can You Eat Butternut Squash Skin? It's important to note that while many people choose to remove butternut squash skin (and this is best practice for soup making, where you want smooth results), you can 100% eat roasted butternut squash skin. Slice butternut squash into crescents and roast it with the skin on.

Should you wash butternut squash before cooking? ›

That's why it's important that you wash all winter squash with warm water and soap before you place it on the cutting board for prep. When you place an unwashed squash on your cutting board or cut through the potentially contaminated surface with your knife, you're pulling germs right into the part you're going to eat.

Is it better to cook pumpkin or butternut squash? ›

Texture-wise, butternut squash tends to be less stringy than pumpkin, making it a more popular choice for soups and purees, and those who are more sensitive to texture. Still, both can be used in heartier dishes like chilis and curries.

What do Americans call butternut squash? ›

The vegetable squash that Americans are used to is a relative newcomer to Britain. It's usually called by its varietal name - butternut squash, acorn squash - and sometimes orange fleshed vegetables that would be called squash in the USA are lumped together as pumpkin.

What animal eats butternut squash? ›

Cute little chipmunks and squirrels are classic offenders and difficult to keep out of the garden due to their agility and speed. Deer don't enjoy prickly foods, but modern cultivars of spineless squash make the foliage quite inviting.

Which squash is closest to Indian pumpkin? ›

It can range from cantaloupe size to watermelon size. Calabaza squash are similar in shape to a pumpkin (they also go by the name, "West Indian pumpkin"), and their skin can range in color from green to a light tan.

What is the American name for kabocha squash? ›

Kabocha (/kəˈboʊtʃə/; from Japanese カボチャ, 南瓜) is a type of winter squash, a Japanese variety of the species Cucurbita maxima. It is also called kabocha squash or Japanese pumpkin in North America.

How to tell if kabocha squash is bad? ›

You'll know kabocha squash is bad if you feel soft spots or if the color is off. If either is the case, don't buy them (or throw them away if you already bought them).

Can I substitute kabocha for butternut squash? ›

These two squash are completely interchangeable with each other and also with a sweet potato! Kabocha skin is thin so I never peel it.

What is the other name of kaddu? ›

Pumpkin called kaddu in Hindi or Arasinikkai or Parangikai in the South reminds us of Halloween while it essentially should remind us of the wonders it does in the kitchen.

What is the Indian name for pumpkin? ›

National Vegetable of India: Indian Pumpkin or Kaddu.

What is kaddu also known as? ›

During upvas most of the vegetables are not allowed but Kaddu (Kumhra and also known as Pumpkin) along with potato, sweet potato can be eaten. This simple sabji is delicious when cooked in ghee.

Is lauki and pumpkin same? ›

White Pumpkin (Lauki), The juice from the leaves helps cure jaundice and the juice from the gourd helps reduce greying of hair. Considered as one of the healthiest vegetables around, the flesh of bottle gourds are full of water and taste slightly bitter. Bottle gourds keep the body hydrated and assist in weight loss.

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