Sweet Pumpkin Pork Rib Stew
[Holiday Must-Have] Healthy Pork Rib Stew with Sweet Pumpkin (No Added Sugar)
Are your Chuseok holiday preparations going well? At Nangman’s house, we’ve prepared a delicious pork rib stew featuring sweet pumpkin. This dish is perfect for family gatherings and showcases natural sweetness.
Sweet Pumpkin Pork Rib Stew Ingredients (for 1kg)
- 1kg pork ribs
- 4-5 potatoes
- 1/2 carrot
- 1/2 small pumpkin
- 1 apple
- 1 onion
- 8-10 peeled chestnuts (can substitute with store-bought roasted chestnuts)
- 1-2 shiitake mushrooms
- 1 dried chili
- 1/2 scoop green tea bag (or cooking wine/mirin)
- 1-2 scoops sparkling water
- Water (enough to cover the pork ribs)
Seasoning
- 1.5 cups soy sauce
- 1.5 cups water
- 1/2 tablespoon ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 stalk chopped green onion
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- 1.5 cups soy sauce
- 1.5 cups water
- 1/2 tablespoon ginger powder
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 stalk chopped green onion
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Ingredient Preparation & Natural Sweetness Tip: We’ve added plenty of potatoes and chestnuts because my family loves them. The sweetness comes naturally from the apple and pumpkin. You can also substitute potatoes with radish or add pear juice for extra sweetness and digestive benefits, depending on your preference.
Step 2
Soaking Pork Ribs: Soak the pork ribs in water for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour, to remove excess blood. Rinse them gently in lukewarm water afterwards for a cleaner taste.
Step 3
Tenderizing and Removing Odors: After rinsing, toss the pork ribs with sparkling water (a subtle lemon flavor works well) and ginger powder. This helps to tenderize the meat and eliminate any gamey odors.
Step 4
Boil Water: Fill a pot with enough water to cover the pork ribs and bring it to a rolling boil.
Step 5
Parboiling Pork Ribs (5 minutes): Once the water is boiling, add the prepared pork ribs and parboil for 5 minutes. Boiling the ribs in rapidly boiling water is crucial to seal in the juices, ensuring a moist and tender texture while effectively removing any odors. You can also add cooking wine or mirin at this stage. I often add a green tea bag or other herbal tea for an aromatic touch.
Step 6
Making the Sauce: Grate or blend 1 onion and 1 apple until smooth. In a bowl, combine this puree with the soy sauce, water, ginger powder, sesame oil, chopped green onion, and any other seasoning ingredients. Mix well to create the sauce. (If you have a garlic allergy, omit it, or add it to your taste.) Using a blender is quick and easy, but I personally prefer using a grater for texture. Freshly grated ginger can also enhance the flavor.
Step 7
Sauce Ingredients Ready: The pureed sauce ingredients are now prepared.
Step 8
Cleaning and Cutting Ribs: After parboiling, wash the pork ribs again to remove any bone fragments or impurities. Trim off excess fat and cut them into bite-sized pieces for easier eating.
Step 9
First Simmering (20 minutes): Add about half of the prepared sauce to the cleaned pork ribs. Pour in enough water (about 1.5-2 cups) to mostly cover the ribs. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. This initial simmer allows the flavors to penetrate the meat.
Step 10
Preparing Hard Vegetables: Peel the potatoes and carrot, rounding the edges to prevent them from breaking apart. Cut them into bite-sized pieces. Cut the pumpkin into similarly sized chunks.
Step 11
Preparing Other Ingredients: Chop the remaining onion and prepare the shiitake mushrooms. Have the dried chili ready.
Step 12
Adding Vegetables and Boiling (15-20 minutes): When the pork ribs are tender enough for a chopstick to pierce easily, add the prepared potatoes, carrots, and dried chili to the pot. Bring to a boil and then simmer for another 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked through.
Step 13
Adding Pumpkin, Chestnuts, and Reducing Sauce: Once the potatoes and carrots are partly tender, add the pumpkin, chestnuts, remaining onion, and shiitake mushrooms. Continue to simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce has reduced to a desirable consistency. Spooning some of the sauce over the ingredients occasionally will enhance the flavor infusion.
Step 14
Finishing Touches: When all ingredients are tender and the sauce has thickened nicely, taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil and a sprinkle of pepper for extra aroma and flavor.
Step 15
Pumpkin Pork Rib Stew is Ready!: Your delicious Sweet Pumpkin Pork Rib Stew is complete! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice.
