Pumpkin Curry with Tofu

After eating this squash curry so many times at Nicky's and Typhoon Thai restaurants here in Pittsburgh, I decided to try as many recipes for it as I could. This is what has come to be my special recipe for it. You may peel the pumpkin if you want, but it will fall apart way more easily. The rind will soften during the cooking process and it is perfectly edible. Plan to make jasmine or basmati rice with this recipe. Enjoy.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 352 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 (12 ounce) package firm tofu
• ½ teaspoon grated lime zest
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1 small Japanese pumpkin (kabocha squash)
• 4 ounces red curry paste, or to taste
• ¼ cup Thai basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Wrap tofu in paper towels. Place tofu onto a plate and place another plate on top. Set a 3- to 5-pound weight on top. Press tofu for 20 to 30 minutes; drain and discard the accumulated liquid and paper towels. Cut tofu into 1-inch cubes.

Step 2

Heat canola oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry tofu in the hot oil until golden on all sides, 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 3

Meanwhile, cut pumpkin into 3/4-inch cubes.

Step 4

Place pumpkin in a large saucepan with enough water to cover and bring to a boil. Continue to boil until pumpkin is just cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Make sure the rind softens, but not to the point the pumpkin is falling apart. Drain pumpkin, reserving about 1/4 cup cooking liquid. Set pumpkin and liquid aside.

Step 5

Heat a large saute pot over medium-high heat. Add curry paste and stir for 15 to 30 seconds, then add coconut milk and lime zest. Cook for 5 minutes. Add cooked pumpkin, tofu, basil, lime juice, fish sauce, and sugar. Bring to a boil; cook until the pumpkin is soft, about 10 minutes. If you feel there isn't enough curry liquid, add the reserved cooking water. Garnish with cilantro.