Pigeon Pea Soup with Opo Squash/Bottle Gourd (Lauki Waali Toor Dal)

5 from 1 vote

Pigeon Pea Soup with Opo Squash/Bottle Gourd (Lauki Waali Toor Dal) Vegan Recipe.

Prep Time45

Cook Time40

Total Time1 25

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Vegan

Keyword: squash soup, vegan soup

Servings: servings

Author: Vegan Richa

3/4 cup split Toor daal (split and skinless pigeon pea(pigeon pea can be substituted with any split peas or Mung daal, petite yellow lentils))
2 cups opo squash/lauki cubed (found in indian stores or asian supermarkets, can be substituted with a different mild flavored squash like zucchini)
2 cups water

1 teaspoon oil
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds (Raee)
1/4 teaspoon nigella seeds (Kalonji seeds)
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
pinch of asofetida (hing)
5 curry leaves (you can find these fresh or frozen in any Indian store. If you dont have these, substitute with one bay leaf)
1/2 Serrano chili pepper or chili flakes to taste (quantity by heat level of the pepper. The current organic Serrano we get are extremely hot)
4-5 cloves of garlic chopped
1 inch ginger finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon raw sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
Cilantro for garnish

Soak the lentils in warm water for an hour.
In a pressure cooker or pan, heat the oil on medium heat until hot on medium heat.
Add mustard(raee) seeds and after a few seconds of sputtering, add cumin(jeera) and nigella(Kalonji) seeds.
Add in the asofetida(hing) and curry leaves and mix.
Add in the chili, turmeric, ginger and garlic and cook till garlic is golden brown.(1-2 minutes)
Add in squash and rinsed soaked daal(pigeon pea), water, salt, 1/4 teaspoon sugar(optional). You can also add in 1 medium tomato, chopped.
Mix well. Cook for 2 whistles in pressure cooker(15 minutes on high pressure) or Cook covered for 30-35 minutes if in pan.
Serve hot garnished with cilantro and lime wedges. Serve with basmati rice or as a side with Roti, pickles, vegetable stir fry dishes and a salad of onions and cucumbers tossed in lemon juice, salt and black pepper!. Theres your complete indian meal!
Serve as soup with warm poppy dinner rolls with lime juice, olive oil, and garam masala garnish. Comfort food on a cool evening!. Have an awesome day everyone!

Nutritional value is based on 1 serving