Sweet and Creamy Korean Pumpkin Porridge (Hobakjuk)
Homemade Korean Pumpkin Porridge with Ripe Pumpkins & How to Prepare and Store Them
I have a large, ripe pumpkin that’s perfect for cooking! The first dish that comes to mind is a delicious pumpkin porridge. Let’s make some! This recipe features the rich flavor of ripe pumpkin, the chewy texture of glutinous rice, and subtle sweetness from sweet potato and adzuki beans. It’s a nutritious and comforting dish perfect for any time. I’ll guide you through the entire process, from preparing the pumpkin to simmering the perfect porridge.
Hobakjuk Ingredients- 1/2 large ripe pumpkin
- 2 cups glutinous rice, soaked (for at least 1 hour in rice water)
- 1 cup adzuki beans, pre-cooked (boiled until tender)
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
Hobakjuk Seasoning- 1/2 cup sugar (organic recommended, adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup sugar (organic recommended, adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp salt (adjust to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s learn how to prepare and store ripe pumpkin. Ripe pumpkins should be stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight, ideally between 1-5°C (34-41°F). For long-term storage, scoop out all the seeds and stringy bits, wrap the pumpkin tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Alternatively, like I did, you can cut the cleaned pumpkin into manageable portions and freeze it. This way, you can easily access it whenever you want to make porridge. Now, let’s tackle the preparation of this large, firm pumpkin! Cutting and handling such a large vegetable can be a bit challenging, so if possible, enlist help for safety. (Laughs)
Step 2
Using a spoon or ladle, thoroughly scoop out the seeds and stringy insides of the pumpkin. Removing all the pulp and seeds completes the first stage of preparation. Make sure to remove any tough fibers or seeds.
Step 3
Cut the pumpkin into manageable pieces. Then, use a vegetable peeler to thinly peel off the skin. The skin of a ripe pumpkin is quite tough, but a peeler makes it relatively easy to remove. Once peeled, cut the pumpkin into bite-sized pieces suitable for cooking porridge. Cutting it into these portions will make the cooking process much smoother later on. Our second stage of preparation is now complete!
Step 4
It’s time to start cooking the delicious pumpkin porridge! You can blend the pumpkin into a smooth puree before cooking, or use it as is. Since I’ll be using a pressure cooker, I’ve cut the pumpkin into larger chunks to cook directly. However, after cooking, I realized that cutting the pumpkin into slightly smaller pieces before adding them to the pressure cooker would speed up the cooking time and help the pumpkin break down more easily. I’ll remember to cut them smaller next time! (Tip: If you’re not using a pressure cooker, blending the pumpkin first will result in an even smoother porridge.)
Step 5
Place all the prepared ripe pumpkin chunks into the pressure cooker. Add the soaked glutinous rice and the pre-cooked adzuki beans, along with the sweet potatoes. Since there are quite a lot of ingredients, add enough water to just cover them. The amount of ingredients looks generous, so I’m a little concerned, but let’s get it cooking! Thanks to the pressure cooker, handling this large batch of porridge should be no problem.
Step 6
Secure the lid on the pressure cooker and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once the weight starts to hiss, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 30 minutes. You can already smell the delicious pumpkin cooking! Once the pressure has released and it’s safe to open the lid, use a large wooden spoon or ladle to stir and mash the pumpkin. The pumpkin cooked in the pressure cooker will be very soft and will easily break down with just a little mashing. It’s amazing! Stir thoroughly until the pumpkin is completely softened and broken down.
Step 7
Finally, it’s time to season the porridge. Add sugar for sweetness; using organic sugar makes it even healthier. Adjust the amount of sugar according to your preference for sweetness. Even without added sugar, the pumpkin’s natural sweetness is quite pleasant, but a touch of sugar enhances the flavor beautifully. Then, balance the taste with salt. Again, adjust the salt to your liking. Once all the ingredients and seasonings are well combined, your nutritious and delicious special porridge, a hearty and warm pumpkin porridge, is complete! Enjoy it while it’s hot.
