Lauki Ka Halwa

A simple yet delectable dessert, prepared with grated Bottle Gourd, Full-Cream Milk, Clarified Butter and Sugar, flavoured with green cardamom powder. Served Hot or Cold garnished with slivered nuts and dried and edible rose petals. Can be consumed during Navratri fasting (Vrat).

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time:  20 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients and Quantity:

Bottle Gourd- 01 no. medium sized

Full-Cream Milk, boiled -03 cups

Desi Ghee- 02 tbsp.

Sugar -1/4 cup

Green cardamom powder -1/2 tsp.

For the Garnish:

Silver leaf- 01 sheet (Optional)

Pistachio nuts, slivered- 1/4^th tbsp.

Almonds, slivered- 1/4^th tbsp.

Dried and Edible Rose Petals- 01 tsp.

Method:

Peel the bottle gourd, cut into half, remove and discard the seeds, wash and grate.

Place the grated Bottle gourd in water to prevent it from becoming brown in colour (Enzymatic Browning)

Squeeze out the entire water from the grated bottle gourd.

Heat ghee in a heavy bottomed deep non-stick pan, add the grated bottle gourd, and cook for 05 minutes, stirring it on a medium flame.

Heat the milk and simmer till reduced to around two cups. Add reduced milk to the gourd and cook, stirring continuously, till all the liquid / moisture has evaporated, completely.

Add sugar and green cardamom powder.

Mix thoroughly.

Serve hot or cold, garnished with silver leaf (Optional) slivered nuts and rose petals.

Chef Tips:

1. You may add grated Mawa (Khoya) to the kheer after adding the boiled milk.
2. You may add fried cashew nuts , if desired