Hyderabadi Biryani of Vegetables in a Pumpkin Shell

Vegetables and spiced rice are layered inside a hollowed pumpkin, baked until steaming, and infused with saffron and rose water.

Estimated Nutrition

Per Serving Total
Calories 716.1 kcals 2864.5 kcals
Carbohydrates 103.1 grams 412.2 grams
Fat 29.6 grams 118.4 grams
Protein 13.2 grams 52.8 grams
Cook Time
75 mins
Produces
4 people
Allergies
Vegetarian
Vegan
Dairy Free
Gluten Free

Ingredients

BakingIngredients
1
tsp
CondimentsSauces
Dairy
50
ml
Milk
warm
Fruits
1
piece
Lemon
juice only
50
g
Raisins
for garnish
GrainsCereals
NutsSeeds
3
piece
2
piece
4
piece
Cloves
whole
2
blade
Mace
blades
1
tbsp
3
tbsp
Salt
for rice water
0.5
tsp
Salt
for pumpkin
1
tsp
0.125
piece
Nutmeg
grated
0.5
bunch
Coriander
chopped
1
tsp
Salt
for marinade
0.5
g
1
bunch
Mint
small bunch, chopped
OilsFats
50
g
Other
2
tbsp
Rosewater
or kewra water
Vegetables
1
piece
Pumpkin
top removed, seeds and flesh scraped out
2
piece
Onions
sliced and deep fried until golden-brown
6
piece
Green Chillies
slit lengthways
0.5
piece
Turnip
cut into 1cm cubes
1
piece
Carrot
cut into 1cm cubes
0.5
piece
Swede
cut into 1cm cubes
0.25
piece
Celeriac
cut into 1cm cubes
0.5
piece
Sweet Potato
orange flesh, cut into 1cm cubes
2
piece
Jerusalem Artichokes
cut into 1cm cubes
10
piece
Fine Beans
chopped
200
g
Portabello Mushrooms
cut into 1cm cubes

Steps

  • Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  • Wash the rice and soak in cold water for 20 minutes.
  • Coat the inside of the hollowed pumpkin with tamarind, chilli, and salt.
  • Bake the pumpkin for 30-50 minutes without its lid.
  • Combine all marinade ingredients in a bowl.
  • Place vegetables in a casserole, add marinade, and let sit for 15 minutes.
  • Boil 3 litres of water with whole spices and salt.
  • Add rice to boiling water and cook for 6-8 minutes until two-thirds done, then drain.
  • Simmer the vegetables over low heat in the casserole.
  • Increase oven temperature to 200°C.
  • Infuse saffron in warm milk, then mix in ghee and rosewater.
  • Layer vegetables and rice inside the pumpkin, sprinkling mint and saffron milk between layers.
  • Bake the covered pumpkin for 20-25 minutes, optionally sealing the lid with dough.
  • Remove the lid and garnish with raisins before serving.