Hobakjuk (Pumpkin Porridge) | Cooking With Jade

Hobakjuk (Pumpkin Porridge)

4 MINS READ
Hobakjuk (Pumpkin Porridge)
Hobakjuk

The Heartwarming Delight of Pumpkin Porridge

When the chill of autumn fills the air and leaves start to turn, there’s nothing quite like cozying up with a warm bowl of comfort food. In the world of comforting dishes, pumpkin porridge stands as a symbol of autumn’s culinary charm. Its creamy texture, earthy sweetness, and vibrant hue make it a seasonal favorite across the globe. Today, we invite you to explore the world of Pumpkin Porridge as we delve into its origins, key ingredients, and the art of crafting this heartwarming dish.

 

A Journey Through Culinary Traditions:

Pumpkin porridge, often referred to simply as “hobakjuk” in Korean cuisine, boasts a rich heritage that dates back centuries. Originally conceived as a simple sustenance food, it evolved into a delightful autumn delicacy. This dish’s roots can be traced to Korea, where pumpkins have been a staple crop for generations. Today, it has transcended cultural borders and is embraced worldwide.

 

The Vegan Transformation:

Traditional pumpkin porridge often includes dairy products like milk and sometimes even honey for sweetness. However, our vegan adaptation preserves the dish’s essence while making it accessible to those with plant-based dietary preferences. The result is a vegan pumpkin porridge that captures the heartwarming spirit of the original.

 

Key Ingredients:

 

    1. Pumpkin: At the heart of this dish lies the pumpkin, the star ingredient, responsible for its vibrant color and natural sweetness.
    2. Glutinous Rice: Also known as sticky rice, glutinous rice lends the porridge its signature creamy texture.
    3. Water: The base for the porridge, water, is used to simmer the rice and pumpkin until they reach the perfect consistency.
    4. Sugar: A touch of sweetness enhances the overall flavor profile of the porridge.
    5. Cinnamon Powder: A pinch of cinnamon adds warmth and depth to the dish.

 

 

The Art of Crafting Pumpkin Porridge:

Crafting a bowl of warm and comforting pumpkin porridge involves several key steps:

 

    1. Preparation: Begin by peeling, seeding, and cutting the pumpkin into cubes. Then, soak the glutinous rice, ensuring it cooks to perfection.
    2. Simmering: The pumpkin and soaked rice are gently simmered until they meld into a velvety, creamy mixture.
    3. Sweetening: Add sugar to the porridge to achieve the perfect level of sweetness.
    4. A Touch of Spice: A pinch of cinnamon powder is sprinkled in, infusing the porridge with a warm, aromatic note.
    5. Serving: Pumpkin porridge is traditionally served warm, often garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon or toasted nuts for added texture.

 

 

Savoring Pumpkin Porridge:

Pumpkin porridge can be savored in various ways:

 

    • Breakfast Bliss: Start your day with a warm bowl of pumpkin porridge, offering a wholesome and nourishing morning meal.
    • Afternoon Comfort: As an afternoon snack, pumpkin porridge provides a soothing and nutritious pick-me-up.
    • Dessert Delight: Cap off your dinner with a dessert-like serving of pumpkin porridge, elevating your meal’s conclusion.

 

 

Hobakjuk (Pumpkin Porridge)

Hobakjuk, a velvety golden-yellow porridge crafted from pumpkin and glutinous rice, offers a comforting and delightful culinary experience. Dive into the world of this delicious comfort food with our straightforward recipe!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes

Course Dessert
Cuisine Korean

Servings 8
Calories 192 kcal

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Large pot
  • Bowl
  • Blender
  • Potato Masher
  • Strainer

Ingredients

  

  • 1 small Korean pumpkin kabocha or about 2 pounds (unpeeled weight)
  • 1/2 cup sweet rice flour any brand, mixed in 1 cup of water or 1/2 cup glutinous rice, soaked in water for at least an hour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar adjust to taste or exclude
  • 1/4 cup red or white beans pat, soaked and boiled (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon Black sesame seeds optional for garnish

Optional rice cake balls

  • 1/2 cup sweet rice flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 4 tablespoons hot water

Instructions

 

  • Cut the pumpkin into quadrants. Remove the seeds and stringy bits with a knife and/or spoon. Place them in a large pot. Add water about one-third way up the squash or about 6 cups. Cover and boil over medium-high heat for about 25 minutes or until the squash turn fork tender. Remove the water, separate the pumpkin in a bowl and let it cool.
  • When the squash is cool enough to handle, cut the skin off from the flesh and discard. Chop the pumpkin into smaller chunks.
  • You can purée the cooked squash at this point if you want, using a blender (make sure to have 3 cups of water) or simply mash it with a spoon or potato masher while cooking if you like a little bit of squash.
  • In a blender, grind the soaked glutinous rice with 1 cup of water as finely as possible.
  • Pour the ground sweet rice into the pot of the prepared squash. Add 3 cups of water. Cook over medium heat, stirring and mashing the chunks of squash, until the rice starts to turn translucent and the porridge becomes thick. Cover, and adjust the heat to low. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes. (Adjust the consistency of the porridge to your taste by adding more water.) Stir in the salt, sugar, and the cooked red beans (optional) for an additional 3 – 4 minutes.
  • Garnish with black sesame seeds (optional). Remove it from the heat and serve.
  • How to make the optional rice cake balls:
  • Mix the rice powder, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Stir in 4 tablespoons of boiling hot water with a spoon. When cool enough to handle, knead by hand until a dough is formed.
  • Shape the dough into a 3/4-inch thick cylinder. Cut into (or pinch off) 3/4-inch pieces. Roll each piece between the palms to make a small ball (You might be tempted to make bigger balls to save your time and labor, but small balls taste better and it balances out well with the porridge quantity.
  • Boil some water in a small pot. Add the rice cake balls. Cook until all the balls float. Scoop out the rice cake balls using a strainer then transfer them into a bowl with cold water to cool. Drain.
  • Garnish on the pumpkin porridge.

Keyword Korean Food

Pumpkin porridge, with its vibrant color and comforting texture, is a celebration of autumn’s bounty and culinary ingenuity. Our vegan adaptation ensures that everyone can indulge in the warmth and comfort this dish offers. So, gather your ingredients, follow our detailed recipe, and embark on a culinary journey to savor the heartwarming goodness of Pumpkin Porridge—a fusion of tradition, innovation, and compassion in every spoonful.

Kitchen tools

If you enjoyed this recipe or have suggestions on how we can improve it, please leave us a comment below. Also, make sure to check out other dishes I’ve created or stories I’ve written about food culture – here.

 


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