Pumpkin Curry with Lentils and Apples

East meets West in this inspired curry dish combining fresh pumpkin with lentils, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, fresh spinach, and apples designed to delight vegetarians.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 40 mins
• Total Time: 2 hr 10 mins
• Calories: 360 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 8 cups water
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 ½ tablespoons curry powder, or to taste
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• 1 cup brown lentils
• 2 tomatoes, cored and chopped
• 2 cups peeled, cubed (1-inch), seeded pumpkin
• 2 potatoes, unpeeled and chopped
• 2 cups packed fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 Granny Smith apple, unpeeled, cored and diced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place the red and brown lentils in a pan with the water and turmeric. Cook over medium-low heat until tender, about 45 minutes. Drain, reserving 2 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid.

Step 2

Meanwhile, heat the canola oil in a large, deep pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and cook until tender and transparent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and garlic; cook 5 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Mix in the curry powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and cloves. Add the cooked lentils, reserved cooking liquid, pumpkin, potatoes, and carrots. Cover, and cook over medium-low heat until the vegetables are tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Stir in the spinach and apple. Cook until the pumpkin can be easily pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes more. Adjust seasonings to taste.