Pumpkin Borani Recipe

EclecticGuy October 01, 2008 recipe 15 Comments

I’ve had dinner 2 nights in a row at Oasis Grill in Pleasanton, CA. Great place! Both nights I had their Pumpkin Borani for an appetizer – a fantastic combination of flavors and textures. A quick Google turned up this recipe:


Pumpkin Borani

Adapted from Sadaf Shaghasi, Oasis Fusion Grille in Pleasanton.

  • 1 small sugar pie pumpkin, seeds and strings removed, cut in 3/4 inch chunks (about 2 cups)
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
  • Salt
  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon Sambal Olek, (Thai chile paste) or red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • Salt to taste

Combine the pumpkin, water, olive oil, 2 tablespoon minced garlic, sugar and salt in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, and cooking until almost all the liquid is gone, about 7 minutes. Cover and let rest over low heat for another 15 minutes until skin is soft. Taste for seasoning, adding more sugar or salt if necessary.

Meanwhile, combine yogurt with 1 teaspoon garlic and salt to taste. Transfer the pumpkin to a platter and drizzle with yogurt.

Serves 4 as an appetizer or side dish.


Missing from the above recipe is a little sprinkle of paprika over the dish – adds color and a subtle flavor that goes well with the pumpkin, yogurt and garlic!

I can’t wait to try this at home.

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15 Responses to “Pumpkin Borani Recipe”

  1. Vonnie said:

    Oct 26, 09 at 5:30 pm

    Thank you for posting this recipe. The pumpkin and eggplant borani are my favorite dishes at Oasis. Any idea how the Sambal Olek or red pepper flakes are to be used in the recipe?

  2. EclecticGuy said:

    Oct 26, 09 at 5:34 pm

    Vonnie, I recall that the red pepper is added to the yogurt. I’ll double check next time I go back!

  3. EclecticGuy said:

    Nov 10, 09 at 12:13 pm

    And this is cool: one of my readers has posted a photo of her Pumpkin Borani made from this recipe! Now my mouth is watering!

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/htomren/4007487050/

  4. Holly said:

    Nov 25, 09 at 4:23 pm

    I’m glad you liked my photo! Thanks for linking it here.

  5. EclecticGuy said:

    Nov 25, 09 at 5:10 pm

    Thanks Holly! I’ve had several comments about how your photo has prompted people to make this recipe!

    Cheers,
    EG

  6. Holly said:

    Nov 28, 09 at 4:19 am

    I made it again for Thanksgiving – this time the pumpkin was much brighter orange: http://www.flickr.com/photos/htomren/4139687587/

    Does it look anything like the version you had at the restaurant?

  7. EclecticGuy said:

    Nov 28, 09 at 11:08 am

    Hi Holly, that is the first time I’ve seen it that bright! The Oasis Grill’s version has always been more subdued like your first photos. I wonder if it has something to do with the pumpkin?

    cheers,
    EG

  8. Laura said:

    Aug 27, 10 at 2:07 am

    THANK YOU! for the pumpkin Borani recipe! My favorite at Oasis Grill. I have TONS of pumpkins in the garden waiting to be “boranied” … ((-:

  9. EclecticGuy said:

    Sep 03, 10 at 4:21 pm

    You are welcome Laura. Once of my favorites!

  10. Irene said:

    Nov 12, 10 at 8:41 pm

    Yesterday my daughter and I had three appetizers at the Oasis in Pleasanton, which included the Pumpkin Borani. I came home to find the recipe on google and yours came up. Another of life’s coincidences!

    Yesterday ours was served in rectangular slices and the color was a brilliant orange on a white dish with the topping poured over everything, and sprinkled with chili powder. The sauce was so light and almost sweet. We thought perhaps it was whipped cream. I may add a little sugar to the yogourt. It was so delicious! Thanks.

  11. debbie said:

    Nov 24, 10 at 6:36 pm

    When do you peel the pumpkin? before or after you cook it?

  12. stephen said:

    Dec 18, 10 at 1:05 am

    Enjoyed a meal at the Oasis, and that was paprika on the pumpkin borani / yogurt.

  13. Pedro said:

    Dec 24, 10 at 8:56 pm

    Actually, Oasis Grill doesn’t use pumpkin at all. Instead, they use Butternut Squash. Good stuff. Save money and make it your self. Turns out just as good if you follow the recipe above.

  14. EclecticGuy said:

    Dec 30, 10 at 1:57 pm

    Turns out it is not pumpkin but butternut squash. You serve with the peel on!

    cheers,
    EG

  15. EclecticGuy said:

    Dec 30, 10 at 2:00 pm

    Thanks Pedro. I did post an update to this after I also discovered that they use Butternut Squash! It tastes great either way!

    cheers,
    EG

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