Korean Pumpkin Porridge (Hobakjuk)
Smooth and lightly sweet, this Korean pumpkin porridge (hobakjuk) is made with kabocha squash and sweet rice. A creamy Korean comfort food ready in about 35 minutes.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb (670 g) whole Kabocha pumpkin or other deep orange fleshed pumpkin
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) Korean sweet rice (chapssal)
- 4 cup (1 liter) water
- 3-4 tbsp (37–50 g) white sugar
- 1-2 tbsp (20–40 ml) honey or light brown sugar
- salt to taste
- 1 tbsp (10 g) pine nuts to garnish, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the rice and pumpkin. Rinse the sweet rice several times and soak in cold water for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, peel the kabocha, remove the seeds, and cut the flesh into large chunks. Drain the rice.
- Cook the pumpkin and rice. Place the pumpkin and drained rice in a large pot. Add 4 cups (1 liter) of water. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a steady simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes, or until the pumpkin breaks apart easily and the rice is completely tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Blend until creamy. Turn off the heat and puree the pumpkin and rice with an immersion blender until smooth. If the porridge is too thick, add a little hot water. Alternatively, use a countertop blender in batches, following the manufacturer's instructions for hot liquids.
- Season and serve. Stir in the sugar, honey, and salt. Taste and adjust the sweetness as needed. Ladle into bowls, garnish with pine nuts if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate: Cool promptly and store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.Freeze: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Warm gently in a saucepan, stirring occasionally, or microwave until thoroughly heated. Add a splash of water to loosen the consistency, as the porridge thickens when chilled.
Nutrition
Calories: 151kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 327mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 9041IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg