Fullmeals

Guyanese Fried Pumpkin (without shrimp)

Name: Guyanese Fried Pumpkin (without shrimp)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 People
Cuisine: Guyanese
Ingredients: approx. 1 kg (peeled, deseeded, cut into strips) Pumpkin; 1 (optional, crushed) Wiri wiri pepper; 4 stems (chopped) Scallions; 8-9 cloves (crushed) Garlic; 1/2 (sliced) Onion; 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil; 1 teaspoon Salt

Recipe by Real Nice Guyana

Ready in50 min
Prep15 min
Cook35 min
CuisineGuyanese · Caribbean
Serves4 People
DifficultyEasy
Calories~250 kcal

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

approx. 1 kg (peeled, deseeded, cut into strips)Pumpkin
1 (optional, crushed)Wiri wiri pepper
4 stems (chopped)Scallions
8-9 cloves (crushed)Garlic
1/2 (sliced)Onion
2 tablespoonsVegetable oil
1 teaspoonSalt

Step-by-Step Instructions

1.Prepare the Pumpkin
Peel the pumpkin, remove the seeds, and cut it into small, thin strips. The video shows cutting large wedges, then peeling, and finally slicing into strips.
2.Chop Aromatics
Chop the scallions into small pieces and slice the half onion. Crush the garlic cloves and the optional wiri wiri pepper together in a mortar and pestle until a paste is formed.
3.Wash Pumpkin
Thoroughly wash the cut pumpkin strips in a colander under running water.
4.Sauté Onions and Scallions
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pot until hot. Add the sliced onions and chopped scallions to the pot and sauté, stirring continuously, until they become fragrant and slightly softened.
5.Add Crushed Garlic and Pepper
Add the crushed garlic and wiri wiri pepper mixture to the pot with the sautéed onions and scallions. Stir for about 1 minute until the garlic becomes fragrant.
6.Add Pumpkin and Salt
Add the washed pumpkin strips to the pot. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt over the pumpkin. Stir well to ensure all the pumpkin is coated with the aromatics and salt.
7.Initial Cooking Phase
Cover the pot and let the pumpkin cook for 10 minutes. The pumpkin will start to release its natural moisture.
8.Continue Cooking and Stirring
After 10 minutes, uncover the pot and stir the pumpkin. It will appear softer and more liquid will be present. Cover again and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
9.Mash and Finish Cooking
After a total of 20 minutes of cooking, uncover and stir the pumpkin. It should be very soft. Use the back of your spoon or a potato masher to mash the pumpkin to your desired consistency. Cover the pot again and cook for a final 15 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated and the pumpkin is tender and thoroughly mashed.
10.Serve
Once the pumpkin is cooked, mashed, and the excess liquid has reduced, it is ready to serve. Enjoy your delicious Guyanese fried pumpkin!

Ready in

50 mins

Cuisine

Guyanese · Caribbean

Prep Time

15 min

Cook Time

35 min

Serving

4 People

Difficulty

Easy

Calories / Serving

~250 kcal

Recipe by Real Nice Guyana on YouTube

Adjust Servings

Measurements

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All Ingredients

Main Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow each step to make the recipe successfully.

Prepare the Pumpkin
Peel the pumpkin, remove the seeds, and cut it into small, thin strips. The video shows cutting large wedges, then peeling, and finally slicing into strips.
Chop Aromatics
Chop the scallions into small pieces and slice the half onion. Crush the garlic cloves and the optional wiri wiri pepper together in a mortar and pestle until a paste is formed.
Wash Pumpkin
Thoroughly wash the cut pumpkin strips in a colander under running water.
Sauté Onions and Scallions
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a pot until hot. Add the sliced onions and chopped scallions to the pot and , stirring continuously, until they become fragrant and slightly softened.
Add Crushed Garlic and Pepper
Add the crushed garlic and wiri wiri pepper mixture to the pot with the onions and scallions. Stir for about until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Add Pumpkin and Salt
Add the washed pumpkin strips to the pot. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt over the pumpkin. Stir well to ensure all the pumpkin is coated with the aromatics and salt.
Initial Cooking Phase
Cover the pot and let the pumpkin cook for . The pumpkin will start to release its natural moisture.
Continue Cooking and Stirring
After , uncover the pot and stir the pumpkin. It will appear softer and more liquid will be present. Cover again and continue cooking for another .
Mash and Finish Cooking
After a total of of cooking, uncover and stir the pumpkin. It should be very soft. Use the back of your spoon or a potato masher to mash the pumpkin to your desired consistency. Cover the pot again and cook for a final , or until most of the liquid has evaporated and the pumpkin is tender and thoroughly mashed.
Serve
Once the pumpkin is cooked, mashed, and the excess liquid has , it is ready to serve. Enjoy your delicious Guyanese fried pumpkin!

Before You Cook

Helpful details before you start

Ingredient SubstitutionsMissing something? View suitable alternatives.

View 2 swaps

No Garlic (fresh)?
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder (per clove)
- 1/2 tsp garlic granules (per clove)
No Onion?
- 1 tbsp onion powder (per medium onion)
- 3 tbsp dried minced onion
- Shallots or leeks (1:1)

Variations

Simple ways to adapt this recipe.

For a nonDietary option
Vegetarian version, you can add cooked shrimp during the sautéing step with the aromatics.
Some people add about 1Customise
Some people add about 1 tablespoon of sugar to their pumpkin for extra sweetness, though it's not included in this recipe.

Helpful Tips

Small details that can improve the final result.

Ingredient noteWhen Buying Pumpkin
Look for a deep, bright orange color as these tend to be sweeter.
TipThis Dish Pairs Exceptionally Well
This dish pairs exceptionally well with oil roti or rice.
Flavour tipAdjust the Amount of Wiri
Adjust the amount of wiri wiri pepper to your preferred spice level.