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Comforting Kadu: A Mediterranean Pumpkin Stew Recipe

As fall approaches, a new list of warm and hardy seasonal vegetables bursts with flavor and abundance. Pumpkins, Brussel sprouts, winter squash, and kale suddenly decorate plates and satisfy our bellies. Kadu is a warmly spiced, creamy, stewed pumpkin dish that delivers cozy fall flavor from across the world straight into your kitchen. For those looking for an unusual vegetable dish that pleases the tastebuds and leaves you feeling full, this dish delivers on all notes.

Keep reading for my Kadu recipe!

kadu

Kadu Ingredients

Kadu

  • 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil 
  • 1/4 purple onion (Optional) 
  • 1/2 small pumpkin
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic
  • 1 Knob of ginger
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1/2 tablespoon of smoked paprika
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup of vegetable stock
  • 2-3 ounces of tomato sauce

Yogurt Sauce

  • 1/4 cup of yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic
  • Salt to taste
  • Smoked paprika to taste

Optional

  • Fresh mint or cilantro
  • Extra smoked paprika
Ingredients for Kadu.

How to Make Kadu

kadu

Comforting Kadu - A Mediterranean Pumpkin Stew

Yield: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Delicate spices and a sweet pumpkin and tomato stew with tangy yogurt sauce give Kadu an exotic flavor profile with all the sensations of fall comfort food.

Ingredients

  • Kadu Ingredients:
  • 2 TBSP Grapeseed Oil
  • 1/4 Purple Onion (Optional)
  • 1/2 Small Pumpkin
  • 1 tsp Garlic
  • 1 Knob Of Ginger
  • 1 TBSP Of Honey
  • 1 TBSP Fresh Cilantro Leaves
  • 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Pepper (to taste)
  • 1/4 Cup Vegetable Stock
  • 2-3 oz. Of Tomato Sauce
  • Yogurt Sauce Ingredients:
  • 1/4 cup of Yogurt
  • 1 tsp of Garlic
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Smoked Paprika (to taste)
  • Optional Toppings:
  • Fresh Mint or Cilantro
  • Extra smoked paprika

Instructions

      1. Heat a heavy-bottomed pot to medium heat on the stove. Pour in grapeseed.
      2. Finely chop your purple onion and add it to the hot oil.
      3. Remove skin and pulp from the pumpkin. Cut pumpkin into one-inch pieces and add to the sauteeing onions, cook for about 4 minutes (until the pumpkin has browned a little).
      4. Add minced garlic and saute for 1 minute.
      5. Grate ginger over pumpkin mixture and stir to integrate with other ingredients.
      6. Add honey to the pumpkin mixture and stir to integrate with other ingredients.
      7. Chop your cilantro and add it along with the other spices to the pumpkin mixture. Stir to integrate with other ingredients.
      8. Add Vegetable stock and tomato sauce to your pumpkin mixture, stir into the other ingredients, and allow the mixture to come to a simmer.
      9. Cover your pumpkin stew and turn the oven to low heat. Allow the stew to cook for about 20-25 minutes or until the pumpkin softens.
      10. While the stew is cooking Mix together all ingredients for the yogurt sauce.
      11. When the stew has finished cooking, drizzle yogurt sauce over the top and add your fresh mint or cilantro (optional).
      12. Enjoy!

What to Pair Kadu With 

Kadu can be eaten as a main course or a side dish. It pairs beautifully with pretty much anything in Mediterranean cuisine. Here are some suggestions!

  1. Mediterranean Dishes:
    • Enjoy Kadu as a main course or a side dish.
    • It pairs well with Mediterranean cuisine staples like lamb stew, gyro, rice with parsley, and kebab.
  2. Perfect Pairings:
    • Serve Kadu with hummus or baba ghanouj for a delightful combination.
    • Add a touch of pumpkin puree to your hummus for a thematic twist.
  3. Wine Pairings:
    • Enhance the flavors of Kadu with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, or Chilean wine.
    • Look for wines with subtle spices to complement Kadu’s warmth.
    • Chardonnay’s butteriness complements Kadu’s creamy pumpkin texture.
  4. Accompaniments:
    • Pair Kadu with a fall salad featuring pomegranate vinaigrette.
    • Highlight Mediterranean flavors by incorporating ingredients like pomegranate and tahini in your salad.
A green dish of yogurt with spices sprinkled on it.

Now You Know How to Make Kadu!

Kadu’s hearty texture holds up against the stewing process beautifully, making it a great meat substitute, and it changes up the go-to from mushrooms and eggplant to something a little sweeter. I know this is a recipe you will love and soon attach to your family’s greatest memories of fall. 

Need some more inspiration in the kitchen? Then checkout our vegetable recipes for delicious and healthy cooking guides!

Julie

Wednesday 26th of October 2022

Have you figured out how to make Ariana's sadzi spinach? It is also amazing and I haven't been able to duplicate it.

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