As soon as winter arrives, the craze for sweets automatically increases. Most people make carrot halwa, but if you want to try something new this time then bottle gourd halwa is a great option. Amazing in taste and extremely creamy in texture, this halwa is perfect even for those who do not like bottle gourd. There is a different pleasure in eating hot bottle gourd halwa on cold nights and if guests have come to the house, this sweet dish gets everyone’s praise.
Bottle gourd halwa is not only delicious but is also considered healthy because it contains plenty of fibre, vitamins and minerals. Milk, ghee and dry fruits make it more nutritious. Many people think that making bottle gourd halwa is difficult, whereas in reality it is easier to prepare than carrot halwa and takes less time. You just have to grate the bottle gourd, fry it lightly, cook it in milk and add mawa or dry fruits. Then see, its taste will make anyone crazy.
For this you need
1 kg fresh bottle gourd
1 liter full cream milk
4 to 5 spoons ghee
1 cup sugar (more or less as per taste)
1/2 cup mawa (optional)
8–10 cashews
8–10 almonds
1 teaspoon cardamom powder
some raisins
Made from these simple ingredients, this halwa is prepared with such amazing taste that once eaten, one asks for it again and again. This is the reason why bottle gourd halwa becomes the favorite recipe of many households during the winter season.
How to make bottle gourd halwa
First of all, peel the bottle gourd and grate it. Keep in mind that remove the hard part and seeds in the middle so that the halwa becomes smooth. Now heat 2 spoons of ghee in a pan and add grated bottle gourd. Bottle gourd already contains a lot of water, so cook it on medium flame for 10 to 12 minutes so that its rawness goes away and the excess water dries up. Now add milk to it and keep cooking while stirring continuously. In about 15 to 20 minutes the milk will thicken and mix well with the gourd.
When the pudding starts thickening, add sugar to it. After adding sugar, the halwa will become a little thin, so cook it again for 5 to 7 minutes. Now add the remaining ghee and fry the halwa until light brown. This will enhance its flavor. After this add mawa and mix well. Finally add cashews, almonds, raisins and cardamom powder and cook for 2 more minutes. Your aromatic, creamy and extremely tasty bottle gourd halwa is ready.
Why try this halwa
Bottle gourd halwa is light on the stomach and easy to digest. Eating it in winter keeps the body warm and also provides energy. Everyone from children to adults eats it with great enthusiasm. The special thing is that its sweetness and taste are so balanced that it even competes with carrot halwa. The crunch of dry fruits on top makes it more delicious. If you want to make something different this winter party or family get-together, then definitely try this halwa.
