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Simmered Kabocha Squash 南瓜の煮物
5 from 24 votes

Simmered Kabocha Squash 南瓜の煮物

Simmered Kabocha Squash is a Japanese dish featuring tender chunks of kabocha pumpkin simmered gently in a seasoned broth of water, sugar, sake, soy sauce, and mirin. The squash softens while absorbing a mildly sweet and savory flavor, with the addition of a drop-lid helping maintain shape during cooking.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 57 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Japanese

Ingredients

  • 1/2 kabocha squash 1, pumpkin
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 1 tbs sugar *2
  • 1 tbs sake *3
  • 1 1/2 tbs soy sauce
  • 1/2 tbs mirin *4

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Peel and seed the pumpkin then cut it into even sized chunks. *5
  2. Round off each corner of pumpkin cuts. *6
  3. Lay the cut pumpkin skin side down without leaving any gaps and without overlapping.
  4. Add water and bring to boil then turn the heat down to medium heat. Cook about 20 minutes or until the kabocha becomes soft.
  5. Add sugar, sake, and mirin and bring them to boil over medium heat.
  6. Once it has boiled, turn the heat down to low, and add soy sauce. Put a drop-lid (Otoshibuta) on to the Kabocha pieces directly and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the pumpkin is cooked. *7
  7. Garnish with chopped ginger. (optional)

Notes

  • An average kabocha squash weighs about 350 ounces (1 kg).
  • Brown sugar can be used instead of caster sugar for sweetness.
  • Sake may be substituted with Chinese wine or dry sherry if unavailable.
  • Mirin can be omitted or replaced with caster sugar if not accessible.
  • Care is needed when cutting whole kabocha due to hardness; microwaving after removing seeds can soften it for easier cutting.
  • Rounding the corners of the pumpkin pieces helps maintain their shape during cooking.
  • If you lack a traditional drop-lid (otoshibuta), you can make your own to cover the squash directly and promote even cooking.

Nutrition Information

Calories 57kcal (3%) Carbohydrates 13g (4%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 0g (0%) Saturated Fat 0g (0%) Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 399mg (17%) Potassium 364mg (8%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 5g (10%) Vitamin A 1365IU (27%) Vitamin C 12.3mg (14%) Calcium 28mg (3%) Iron 0.7mg (4%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 57

% Daily Value*

Calories 57kcal 3%
Carbohydrates 13g 4%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 399mg 17%
Potassium 364mg 8%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 5g 10%
Vitamin A 1365IU 27%
Vitamin C 12.3mg 14%
Calcium 28mg 3%
Iron 0.7mg 4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.