Sukun nu shaak

Another new year special food at my house is "Sukun nu shaak". Black eyed peas (Chora/Chori/ChawLi) and Pumpkin (kolu /lal Bhopla/kaddu) is supposed to bring good luck for the new year! I was so amazed that even in America, they eat black eyed peas on the new year's day. And though Keralites' recipe is different from the Gujarati one, don't they have the same combo like black eyed peas and pumpkin for Olan? Isn't it amazing?

Sukun nu shaak
Ingredients

• 1 cup black eyed peas sprouts
• 1/2 cup red pumpkin/lal bhopla/lal kolu, peeled and diced
• 1 tsp coriander-cumin seed powder
• 1 tsp Tamarind pulp
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp jaggery (Optional)

Tempering

• 1 tsp oil
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/4 tsp asafoetida
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder 2 red chilies

Garnish

• 1 tbsp freshly grated coconut (Optional)
• 1 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice (Optional)

Method
1. Pressure cook black eyed peas and pumpkin separately in two different containers for 2 whistles. Add 1/4 cup water in black eyed peas and 2 tbsp water in the pumpkin.
2. Heat oil. Add mustard seeds, asafoetida, red chilies and turmeric powder.
3. Stir in cooked beans and pumpkin along with their liquid.
4. Bring to boil.
5. Add coriander-cummin seed powder, salt, tamarind pulp and jaggery.
6. Simmer for 5 minutes. Switch off the gas. The consistency should not be too watery or too dry. 7. Garnish with coconut and cilantro. Squeeze the lemon juice.