Caldinha – Pumkin and Shrimp Goan Curry Recipe

If you try to translate caldo where caldinha is a derived from it means broth or soup. Judging by the flavor and lack of spiciness in caldinha it makes sense that it is named aptly. It is spelt in two ways Caldine or Caldinha. If you type Caldinho then you find that it is a Brazilian recipe for a Bean Soup.

This recipe does bring back a lot of memories. When we would visit my father’s family on a small beautiful island called Ilha(Island) de Santo Estevão you can read more about this Island here. Fresh fish was always in abundance and my dad loved this sweet curry specially since he suffers from stomach ulcers and cannot eat very spicy foods.

I think if you like less hotter Indian curries then this is a great recipe. Caldinha is a light yellow-green curry which is made with fish and coconut milk. In Goa, fish like sardines, mackerel, pomfret and king fish are very popular along with other smaller fish. Since it is fall here in the US, I decided to combine it with sweet pumpkin and shrimps and it turned out to be delicious.

Servings: 8-10

Ingredients:

1 lbs of 1″ cubed pumpkin

15-20 cleaned shrimps/prawns

1/4 tsp of turmeric

1/4 tsp of ground cumin

1/4 tsp of ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp of coriander seeds

6 whole cloves

6 garlic cloves

8-10 peppercorn

1 green jalapeno (chili)

1 small diced onion

1 medium tomato diced and sprinkled with a little salt

1/4 tsp of vinegar

1 can of whole coconut milk

1 can – 13.5oz of water

salt to taste

Directions:

* Wash and clean the shrimps/prawns apply salt, vinegar and keep aside.

* Grind the garlic, dry spices and jalapeno along with 1/4 can of coconut milk in a blender.

* In a hot-pot add onions and saute for 3-4 minutes till translucent. Next add the diced tomatoes and saute till soft.

* Add the ground mixture, pumpkin, remaining coconut milk, water mix and cook covered on medium heat for 5 minutes till pumpkin softens.

* Finally add the shrimps, check on salt and cook covered on medium heat for another 5-10 minutes depending how you like your shrimps cooked.

Enjoy with rice or bread. Caldinha keeps well for a couple of days in the refrigerator.

Love pumpkin then check out more recipes for Creme Brulee in Mini Pumpkin and Sauteed Pumpkin Recipe.