Here is a fun medley of flavors: Beef, pumpkin, curry, raisins, mango chutney and coconut. Formed into meatballs, fried and simmered in a luscious and creamy sauce, this dish is sure to satisfy your tummy and soul!
Halloween is coming up in just a few days and our family is always left with extra pumpkins we had sitting around for decoration. What do you normally do with your leftover pumpkins?
I like to use pumpkin in stews, soups and casseroles like this Pumpkin, Kale and Sausage Lasagna, Coconut Chicken Pumpkin Curry, Moroccan Chicken, Apricot and Almond Tagine, this hearty Andalusian Gypsy Stew or Domoda, a delightfully rich and satisfying beef, pumpkin and peanut stew from Gambia. Pumpkin just fits so well in so many dishes!
Like this one. The grated pumpkin not only adds flavor and nutrition, it makes the meatballs irresistibly moist and tender.
Positively packed with flavor, your family is sure to love these Curried Pumpkin & Coconut Meatballs!
Let’s get started!
Shred the fresh pumpkin on the smaller sized grates.
Combine the grated pumpkin and the ground beef, eggs, breadcrumbs, raisins, garlic, salt and pepper.
Use your fingers to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
Form the mixture into 1-inch or larger meatballs.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the meatballs on all sides.
Transfer the meatballs to a plate and set aside.
Add the butter to the skillet and fry the onions until soft and translucent and just beginning to brown, 5-7 minutes. Add the curry powder and fry for another minute.
Add the flour and fry for one minute.
Whisk in the chicken stock and coconut milk/
Let the sauce simmer for a couple of minutes, whisking continually, until the sauce is thickened. Stir in the mango chutney and season with salt and pepper.
Return the meatballs to the skillet, return to a simmer over medium-low, cover and simmer the meatballs for 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Serve with steamed jasmine or basmati rice sprinkled with some chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish.
Enjoy!
- 1 pound ground beef (or ½ pound ground beef, ½ pound ground pork; or 1 pound ground chicken)
- 1 cup finely shredded fresh pumpkin or sweet potato
- 3 tablespoons raisins
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil for frying
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 3½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 (15 ounce) can coconut milk
- 1⅓ cup chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons mango chutney
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs in a bowl and mix with fingers. Form into 1-inch balls.
- Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and fry until browned on all sides. Transfer the meatballs to a plate.
- Fry the onions with the butter in the same skillet until softened, 5 minutes, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the curry powder and flour and cook for another minute. Add the coconut milk and the chicken stock, stirring to dissolve the flour. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent lumping, until thickened. Add the mango chutney, salt and pepper.
- Return the meatballs to the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve with steamed jasmine or Basmati rice and garnished with some chopped fresh cilantro or parsley.
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Erin says
I love the idea of adding pumpkin to your meatballs! And grating it – genius. Meatballs are so forgiving – this would be incorpated so easily. And the curried sauce sounds delicious.
Ginny McMeans says
Wow! Those ingredients are fantastic. Who would have thought to add pumpkin, curry, raisins, mango chutney and coconut.. Good job!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
These flavors just sound like heaven!! I love meatballs and have never had a sauce quite like this one.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The coconut and the pumpkin, so unique! Love the flavors and creaminess!
Lauren @ Wicked Spatula says
WOW! This sounds absolutely amazing! I can’t wait to try it!
Stephanie says
Wow! Such a creative recipe. Looks so comforting!
Barrett @dirtylaundrykitchen.com says
I know I’ll make this at some point. So delicious sounding.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
You just blew my mind. Pumpkin can be shredded?! I never thought of that! I’ve never used pumpkin in meatballs but after seeing this, I know it’s something I have to try.
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
What a unique recipe! These looks absolutely amazing! As an Italian, I don’t often deviate much from a traditional meatball, but these are soooo going on my list of things to make, and soon!
The Food Hunter says
these sound amazing! I never would have thought of this combo
Joanie@ZagLeft says
I have never cooked with “real” pumpkin in a savory dish before. Being able to shred it makes it seem much easier to work with. I am so intrigued by this recipe, it looks and sounds so good – I’ve got to give it a try!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Joanie, pumpkin is terrific in a variety of stews and tagines (I linked to a few at the beginning of my post). Give it a try and I’m sure you’ll love it!
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen says
I am 100% in love with this idea – fun, inventive, and delicious! These are going on my to-try-very-soon list.
Nutmeg Nanny says
These meatballs are so delicious looking! I love that creamy sauce…yum!
Cookin Canuck says
I have grated zucchini into meatballs, but never pumpkin. What a great idea! And anything with curry flavors always gets me excited. A must make, for sure!
Maryanne @ the little epicurean says
Whoa! I never thought to grate pumpkin. Love the combination of all these flavors in this dish! :)
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
Oh boy I love all of thee flavors! You are so creative!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I love new and unique meatball recipes and this one certainly qualifies. That sauce looks so wonderful and creamy. I can’t wait to try this recipe. So flavorful!
Adina says
This really looks amazing, I love it!!! I will definitely make this.
Michelle @ Blackberry Babe says
What an awesome flavor combo! The sauce looks luscious!
Kim Beaulieu says
What a great recipe. I just love the flavour profile on this one. I’m wondering how the shredded pumpkin would be in meatloaf now. You’ve opened up a world of possibilities.
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Whoa….what a stunning dish! Love the grated pumpkin inside the meatball. That’s just genius!
Rose | The Clean Dish says
Adding pumpkin to meatballs – genius!! It’s so perfect for this season. You have combined some of my favorite ingredients in this – I love it!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
I could eat these all day long and just be utterly content. They look fantastic.
SusanM says
As soon as we can find a cooking pumpkin, we want to try these with ground turkey, they sound delicious! Are there any alternatives to mango chutney? It’s not something we’ve seen locally.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Susan! I have a recipe for the best homemade mango chutney, but a quicker alternative would be to substitute with apricot or peach jam/preserves. Happy cooking!
Adina says
Happy New Year, Kimberly. I made this for guests shortly after Christmas and it was great. Everybody loved it and we were 5 adults and 3 kids. I used sweet potato and left out the raisins, I do like them but I know so many people who don’t and I didn’t want to risk it. Thank you for the recipe, I am sure I will make it again. :)
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Happy New Year, Adina!! That’s awesome, I’m so glad you liked them, thank you so much! You know, my husband doesn’t like raisins either but I make him eat them anyway, ha! ;)
Lyn says
We loved these! Made with sweet potato, followed the recipe and yum! DH hadn’t been well (travelling by plane not good for health!) and his taste buds had been a little jaded, but these meatballs hit the spot even for him. Praise doesn’t get much better than that!Thank you Kimberly
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Wonderful, Lyn, I’m so happy to hear it was a hit, thank you! And I’m tickled that you picked such an adventurous dish to start with! :)