Carrot Halwa

in Desserts, Sweets

 

This is an ideal dessert, made from the carrots especially , when they are in season. Delhi carrots , which are red, can be used when available, as they give distinct taste and flavor to the halwa.

During Parties or Marriages , this sweet is found in the dessert section. Its everybody’s favourite , especially when eaten with icecream. Carrot Halwa pairs well with Vanilla icecream . It can be eaten either hot or cold , both ways it tastes, delicious .

Recipe from cook and see part 2.

Ingredients

  • Carrot 350 gms,
  • Milk 1 ½ to 2 cups,
  • Sugar 2 cups,
  • Ghee ½ cup and a little more.
  • Cashew nuts 25
  • Pachai Karpooram / edible camphor (optional) a pinch,
  • Cardamom  powder  ¼ teaspoon,
  • Saffron   4 to 5 strands  (dissolved in a tablespoon of milk)

Method

  1. Wash the carrots well, and grate them. The grated carrots will measure 2½ cups.
  2. Shallow fry cashew nuts in a pan to golden brown. Keep aside.
  3. Boil milk in a thick deep vessel or pan, add carrots and cook till soft. Cool.  Grind  the cooked carrots in  a blender /mixie to a coarse paste.
  4. Cook in the pan again, adding sugar. Mix well.
  5. When the mixture thickens ,add ghee little by little. When the ghee mixes well in the cooked mass, add cashew nuts, saffron and mix well with a ladle.
  6. When mixture turns as one combined mass the halwa is ready.
  7. Remove from heat, add cardamom powder ,saffron and pachai karpooram.
  8. Make sure to remove the halwa when it is of loose consistency, it will harden when cool.
  9. This delectable halwa is ready to serve.
  10. This is a ideal way to introduce carrots to children as they are fond of sweets.

Note

  1. While cooking for carrot halwa, cook in low or medium heat.
  2. Make sure the halwa doesn’t harden in the last stages, otherwise it will be powdery when cool.
  3. Quantity of sugar can be reduced according to one’s taste.
  4. Please note , edible camphor is different from ordinary camphor .
  5. Edible camphor or pachai karpooram can be used in food and is available in grocery stores. Edible camphor is said to be used in Ayurvedic medicines.