Japanese Simmered Pumpkin (Kabocha no Nimono)
Tender pumpkin pieces gently simmered in a light soy, sake, and mirin sauce. A soft, naturally sweet Japanese side dish that babies and older kids enjoy.
Ingredients
- 400 g pumpkin, seeds removed14.11 oz pumpkin, seeds removed
- 200 ml water13.53 tbsp water
- 30 ml soy sauce, low-sodium if possible2.03 tbsp soy sauce, low-sodium if possible
- 30 ml sake, alcohol cooks off during simmering2.03 tbsp sake, alcohol cooks off during simmering
- 30 ml mirin2.03 tbsp mirin
- 60 ml sugar4.06 tbsp sugar
Steps
- Scoop out the pumpkin seeds and stringy center with a spoon and discard them.
- Place the pumpkin in a heatproof bowl, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and microwave for 2 minutes to soften the skin.
- Scrape off most of the skin with a knife, then cut the pumpkin into bite-size pieces.
- Arrange the pumpkin skin side down in a pot, then add the water, soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer.
- Cover with a small lid that sits directly on the pumpkin and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes until tender.
- Turn off the heat, gently turn the pieces skin side up, and let them rest a few minutes to soak up the sauce before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories
- 160
- Protein
- 3g
- Fat
- 0.5g
- Carbs
- 36g
- Iron
- 1mg
- Calcium
- 30mg
Tips by age
Make a low-sauce version with just a little soy sauce and sugar, then mash a piece until soft and lumpy. Offer only a small spoonful since the seasoning is sweet and salty.
Choking safety: Remove all skin and make sure no firm chunks remain before serving.
Cut into small soft pieces and rinse off excess sauce to lower the salt and sugar. Serve a few pieces that mash easily between your fingers.
Choking safety: Make sure pieces are soft and skin-free; large firm chunks can be a choking risk.
Serve small bite-size pieces, keeping the sauce light. Pat off extra sauce so it is not too salty or sweet for this stage.
Choking safety: Cut into pieces no larger than a fingertip and check they are tender.
Serve as written in small bite-size pieces. Offer alongside plain rice to balance the sweet and savory sauce.
Choking safety: Cut into bite-size pieces and confirm they are soft.
Serve as written, cut into bite-size pieces. This makes a nice soft side dish with rice or fish.
Serve as written. Kids this age can enjoy a full portion as a side dish with rice.
Want the full library?
Unlock all 1,300+ recipes, the meal planner, allergen tracking, and more in the Lil' Noms app.
Unlock all in the app