I have recently received several questions about the ingredients that I used in the recently shared video about my South Indian Pumpkin. Since it is a very versatile dish, vegan and gluten free it is suitable for most people and very easy to prepare. Depending on what you have on hand, other vegetables can be substituted for the pumpkin with equally delicious results.

Read the recipe or watch my video to learn more.

Throughout my culinary life, pepper has been an ingredient that I use regularly. I was aware of different types and varieties to a point, including Sarawak pepper and Tellicherry pepper and had sometimes used those varieties in food.  

Black pepper, the fruit of a flowering vine (piper nigrum)  is one of the world’s most traded spices with Vietnam being the largest producer and exporter, even though pepper is native to Kerala, in southern India. Pepper is a spice that has been used since antiquity, both as a traditional medicine and for use in food. It was so prized in history that it was known as “black gold” and is still one of the world’s most traded spices. 

A visit to the largest spice market in Asia, Khari Baoli Spice Market in Old Delhi!

A lot to see and learn about spices and how they are used and handled, in particular asafoetida!