Rainy Season in a Nepali Village: Pumpkin Shoot Curry and Wheat Bread

The rainy season brings new life to the villages of Nepal. The fields turn green, birds sing among the trees, and gentle rain creates a peaceful rhythm throughout the day. During this season, village families work hard in their fields and enjoy fresh food gathered directly from the land.

On one such rainy day, a village girl prepares a traditional meal of pumpkin shoot curry, known locally as *farsi ko munta ko tarkari*, and freshly cooked wheat rotis.

A Rainy Morning in the Village

Light rain falls from a cloudy sky, making the morning cool and refreshing. Despite the drizzle, birds chirp cheerfully around the village.

Carrying a handmade basket called a *chapari*, the girl walks towards her family’s garden to collect vegetables for lunch. Fresh pumpkin vines climb over small bamboo supports, while tiny pumpkins grow beneath their broad green leaves.

She carefully picks the tender pumpkin shoots and a few small pumpkins. Before long, her basket is filled with fresh vegetables from the garden.

Washing and Cutting the Vegetables

After gathering the vegetables, she walks to the village water tap, locally known as a *dhara*. Cold spring water flows continuously from the tap.

She washes the pumpkin shoots and pumpkins thoroughly before carrying them home. In the kitchen, she uses a traditional sickle called a *hasiya* to cut the vegetables into small pieces.

Everything is prepared by hand, just as generations of village families have done before her.

Preparing Pumpkin Shoot Curry

The girl lights a fire in the traditional clay-and-stone stove using firewood. She places a cooking pan, or *karai*, over the flames and adds a little oil.

Once the oil becomes hot, she adds freshly pounded garlic. Its rich aroma soon fills the kitchen.

She then grinds salt, green chillies from the family garden, and Sichuan pepper—known in Nepal as *timur*—using a traditional stone grinder. This freshly prepared mixture gives the curry its distinctive spicy, tangy, and earthy flavour.

The chopped pumpkin shoots and small pumpkins are added to the pan and mixed with the garlic and spices. She stirs everything gently and allows the curry to cook slowly over the wood fire.

As the vegetables soften, the aroma of the curry spreads throughout the home, creating a warm and comforting atmosphere.

Making Fresh Wheat Rotis

While the curry cooks, the girl begins preparing wheat rotis.

She first sifts the wheat flour using a traditional sieve called a *chhalo*. After removing any impurities, she gradually adds water and kneads the flour until it becomes soft and smooth.

She divides the dough into small portions and shapes each one into a flat, round roti. The rotis are then cooked one by one on a hot pan over the wood-fired stove.

As they cook, they turn golden brown and puff slightly with steam. The firewood gives them a gentle smoky flavour that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin shoot curry.

The Family Returns from the Fields

During the rainy season, most village families spend long days working in their fields. Some plant paddy, while others tend to crops and complete the many tasks that come with the monsoon season.

While her family members work outside in the rain, the girl takes responsibility for preparing the meal at home.

By the time the food is ready, the family returns from the fields, tired and hungry. She serves them hot pumpkin shoot curry with freshly cooked wheat rotis.

They sit together and enjoy the meal while talking about the day’s work. Outside, the rain continues to fall. Inside, the warmth of the fire and the happiness of sharing food create a peaceful family moment.

Returning to the Day’s Work

After eating, the family does not rest for long. Some members take the goats and cattle towards the forest to graze, while others return to the fields.

Village life moves according to the seasons. Each person has a role, and every part of the day is connected to the land, animals, weather, and family.

Seasonal Food and Village Tradition

The rainy season in a Nepali village is about more than farming. It is also a time to enjoy fresh seasonal vegetables and traditional home-cooked meals.

Tender pumpkin shoots are a popular rainy-season ingredient. When cooked with garlic, green chillies, and *timur*, they create a flavourful and nourishing curry. Served with freshly made wheat rotis, the dish becomes a simple but satisfying meal for a hardworking family.

Meals like this also reflect the self-reliant nature of village life. The vegetables and chillies come from the garden, the wheat comes from the fields, and the firewood is gathered locally. Available resources are carefully used and valued.

A Simple but Meaningful Way of Life

This rainy day tells a beautiful story about Nepali village life. A girl collects pumpkin shoots from her garden, washes them at the village tap, cooks them with traditional spices, and prepares wheat rotis over a wood-fired stove.

These may appear to be ordinary daily activities, but together they represent something much greater: knowledge passed between generations, respect for the land, family responsibility, and the value of hard work.

When the family gathers to eat after returning from the fields, the meal becomes more than food. It becomes a moment of unity and gratitude.

Rain falls softly outside, birds continue to sing, and the family shares warmth and conversation inside. This is the beauty of life in a Nepali village—simple, hardworking, and deeply connected to nature.