Pumpkin Payasam | Parangikai Payasam
Pumpkin Payasam or Parangikai Payasam-a delicious traditional south Indian style dessert
This Kerala-style pumpkin payasam, also called Mathanga Payasam in Malayalam, is a traditional South Indian dessert enjoyed during festivals like Onam and Vishu. Made with pumpkin, jaggery, coconut milk, and fragrant spices, this sweet dish is both simple and flavorful. In Tamil Nadu, a similar version known as Parangikai Payasam is equally popular and is prepared during special occasions.
The payasam stands out for its natural sweetness from pumpkin and the rich, caramelized taste of jaggery. Coconut milk gives it a creamy texture, while roasted cashews, raisins, and cardamom add crunch and aroma. Besides being delicious, this dessert is nutritious, as pumpkin is loaded with vitamins and minerals.
Pumpkin payasam is versatile and can be adapted to different tastes. You can replace jaggery with brown sugar or coconut sugar for a unique flavor. Some variations include lentils like moong dal for added protein.
I have cooked this parangikai payasam in pressure cooker to ease the process of cooking.The pumpkin and rice is cooked until soft, mashed, and simmered with coconut milk and jaggery. A garnish of ghee-roasted nuts and a hint of cardamom make it irresistible.
Whether you’re celebrating a festival or craving a comforting dessert, pumpkin payasam is a perfect choice. It blends the natural sweetness of pumpkin with the rich flavors of South Indian spices, creating a dish that is both nostalgic and satisfying.
Do try our other delicious payasam recipes 👇👇👇
Ingredients
Yellow pumpkin (parangikai)-250 gms (cleaned, skin removed and diced)
Powdered jaggery -1/2 cup
Coconut milk-3/4-1 cup
Soaked and crushed raw rice-1 tbsp
Cardamom powder-1/4 tsp
Saffron-few string
Grated coconut-1 Tbsp
Cashew-few
Raisins -few
Ghee-1 tbsp
Pumpkin Payasam Recipe Video
Method
👉In a pressure cooker add chopped pumpkin a long with crushed soaked raw rice and required water just enough to cover the pumpkin.
👉Pressure cook for 3 whistles, switch off the gas, allow pressure to subside completely.
👉Now mash the pumpkin and rice well again switch on the gas, boil the payasam.
👉Add jaggery mix well.
👉Add cardamom powder and mix well.
👉Once a bit thickened add coconut milk mix well.
👉Finally add grated coconut and fried cashew and raisins in ghee and few strings of saffron mix well again switch.
👉Switch off the gas at desired consistency.
Total Preparation Time-20 minutes
Serves-3-4