Chinese Dumplings with Pumpkin and Chives Pan-Fried Recipe
These Chinese dumplings with pumpkin and chives are an autumn version of popular jiaozi, but completely meat-free. In China, such dumplings often appear at family gatherings because they’re easy to shape together at the table. They’re gently sweet from the pumpkin, aromatic from sesame, and crispy on one side thanks to pan-frying. Perfect as a party snack or a light lunch with a small bowl of soy sauce.
A seasonal, meat-free twist on classic Chinese jiaozi: sweet pumpkin, aromatic sesame and chives, plus a crispy pan-fried bottom make these dumplings both comforting and elegant enough for guests.
Chef's tips
Don’t overfill the dumplings – it’s better to use a bit less filling and be sure they’re well sealed so they don’t burst while steaming in the pan. If the dough dries out while you’re working, cover the unused pieces with a damp cloth. For extra flavor, lightly toast the sesame seeds before sprinkling them on top.
How to serve
Serve the dumplings on a large platter, crispy side up, with several small bowls of dipping sauces: classic soy with rice vinegar, soy with chili oil, or soy with a touch of honey and grated ginger. They pair well with a simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar and sesame oil.
Ingredients
- flour type 450–550 - 300 g
- hot water not boiling, but very warm - 170 ml
- pumpkin, peeled and deseeded e.g. Hokkaido or butternut - 350 g
- spring onion chives chopped - 4 tablespoons
- oil can be replaced with rapeseed oil and a bit of tahini - 1 tablespoon
- soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
- fresh ginger finely grated - 1 teaspoon
- garlic finely chopped - 1 clove
- oil e.g. rapeseed - 3 tablespoons
- salt for the filling, plus a pinch for the dough - 0.5 teaspoons
- pepper - 0.25 teaspoons
- water for adding to the dumplings in the pan - 80 ml
- sesame seeds optional, for sprinkling - 1 tablespoon
Preparation
- Put the flour and a pinch of salt into a bowl. Gradually pour in the hot water, stirring with a fork until clumps of dough form.
- Knead the dough by hand for 5–7 minutes, until smooth and elastic. If it’s sticky, add a little flour. Cover with a damp cloth and set aside for 20 minutes.
- Cut the pumpkin into small cubes. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a pan, add the pumpkin and fry for 8–10 minutes over medium heat, stirring, until it softens and starts to break down slightly.
- Add the garlic and ginger, fry for 1 more minute, stirring, until you can clearly smell the spices. Transfer the pumpkin to a bowl and let it cool slightly.
- Add the chives, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt and pepper to the pumpkin. Mix thoroughly; the filling should be thick and moist but not runny. Season to taste if needed.
- Divide the dough into 2–3 portions. Roll each portion into a log the thickness of a finger, then cut into small pieces about the size of a walnut.
- Flatten each piece with your hand, then roll it out into a thin disc about 8 cm in diameter. The center can be slightly thicker than the edges.
- Place 1 teaspoon of filling in the center of each disc. Fold the disc in half and seal the edges firmly by pressing with your fingers. You can make simple pleats, but the most important thing is that the dumpling is tightly sealed.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large lidded pan over medium heat. Arrange the dumplings flat side down so they don’t touch each other. Fry for 2–3 minutes, until the bottom is golden and crispy.
- Pour about 80 ml of water into the pan (it should reach a height of about 0.5 cm), immediately cover with a lid. Cook for 6–7 minutes over medium heat, until the water has almost completely evaporated.
- Remove the lid and fry for another 1–2 minutes so the bottom becomes crispy again. Transfer the dumplings to a plate, crispy side up, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately with your favorite sauce: soy, soy-vinegar, or with a bit of chili added.
Storage
Ugotowane pierożki przechowuj w lodówce w szczelnym pojemniku do 2 dni, podgrzewaj na patelni z odrobiną oleju i wody pod przykryciem. Surowe, ulepione pierożki możesz zamrozić na tacce, a potem przełożyć do woreczka i gotować/smażyć bez rozmrażania, dodając 2–3 minuty do czasu przygotowania.
