Pumpkin Halwa. Kaddu/ Sitaphal ka Halwa. A personal favorite from my family’s repertoire of recipes from Uttar Pradesh.

So underrated but very delicious. It is so good during the onset of the Fall season. Pumpkins are in season from the month of October onwards – and with all that variety, there is so much one can do! 

Pumpkin is an incredibly healthy vegetable. It is rich in vitamins and antioxidants that can boost your immune system and yet it is very low in calories.

A ripe pumpkin is naturally quite sweet so this halwa requires very less added sugar. This halwa is a perfect guilt free dessert on festive days, whether you are fasting or simply for days when you want to indulge.

In our family, we indulge in pumpkin on festive occasions. A sweet and sour version of this vegetable is delicious and a perfect combination with pooris along with a potato curry and halwa. A milk based pumpkin pudding/ kheer tastes delicious as well. 

Do try this dish next time you find a good, ripe pumpkin.


Pumpkin Halwa

Pumpkin Halwa. Kaddu/ Sitaphal ka Halwa. A personal favorite from my family’s repertoire of recipes from Uttar Pradesh.

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups ripe pumpkin grated
  • 2 tbsp ghee
  • 1 cup whole milk + 1bsp for the saffron
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp saffron
  • 1 tsp green cardamom powder
  • 2 tbsp chopped nuts like almonds/ cashews/ pistachios

Instructions 

  • Take 2 cups of grated ripe pumpkin.
  • Heat a heavy bottomed pan and add 2 tbsp ghee. Once it is warm, add the pumpkin and keep stirring gently for about 15-20 minutes until the moisture nearly evaporates.
  • Add 1 cup of whole milk (preferably warm) to the pan and on low flame keep cooking the mixture. The milk will slowly evaporate; it took me about 30 minutes.
  • Mid way add some saffron soaked in a 1tbsp of warm milk to the halwa and give it a good mix.
  • Be careful to be gentle with the pumpkin because we don’t want to mash it as well.
  • Add sugar/ jaggery to your desired level of sweetness; I added 2 tbsp of raw sugar and gave it a mix. Add 1 tsp cardamom powder and any chopped nuts of your choice and let the halwa cook for about 5-7 minutes more.
  • Garnish with some more sliced/ chopped nuts either hot or chilled.

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