Wow, we are already in the last week of winter. Winter has been really blessed and mild this year. Cannot complain!… but still looking forward to welcome spring this weekend. Crisp mornings, fresh green grass, tulips and daffodils peeking out of the soil, birds chirping around.. can’t wait to see mother nature back to life. There are three festivals lined up to celebrate other than spring. St Patrick’s day is on 17th this week. It is the time of the year when all green recipes are out and everywhere around blog-sphere.
My recipe dedicated to this green day is thick confection of bottle gourd sweetened with sugar and make it more richer in taste with khoya and nuts. The light green color of gourd is enhanced with the food color that is purely optional. Lauki ka halwa is popular as a fasting sweet, when grain are not allowed to eat while fasting like Shivratri, Krishnaastami and Navratris.
Besides its beautiful green color this dish tastes delicious, hydrates and gives instant energy to the body while fasting. The texture of the halwa is little crunchy and tastes delightful with coconut and other nuts.
- 2 cups Lauki (bottle gourd), grated and boiled
- 1 cup Sugar
- 3 tbsp. Ghee
- 1/2 tsp. Cardamom Powder
- 1 cup Khoya, grated
- Silvered Pistachios and Almond
- 1/2 cup Coconut, grated
- Few drops Kewra Water
- Green color (optional)
- Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a heavy-bottom pan.
- Add lauki and saute for 7-8 minutes.
- Add Sugar and green color.
- Saute the mixture while stirring continuously until all the moisture evaporates.
- Now add khoya, cardamom powder, coconut and dry fruits.
- Add 1 tbsp. of ghee and cook it few more minutes.
- Add kewra water, mix it well.
- Serve hot or cold garnished with almond and pistachios.