Ingredients: cups Kaddu (Parangikai/ Pumpkin) - red one, cup Sugar, cup Milk, tablespoon Khoya (Mawa), tablespoon Ghee, Badam (Almond) - chopped, Raisins, Cashew nuts - chopped, Cardamom (Elaichi) Pods/Seeds, Vegetarian diet
Instructions: To begin with Pumpkin Halwa, heat 2 tablespoons ghee in a kadhai.When ghee gets heated, add the raisins. After the raisins puff, remove them from the kadhai and keep them on a separate plate.In the same kadhai, add the other chopped dry fruits and roast them. Keep them in the same plate where the raisins are kept.Now add 3 more tablespoons ghee to the same kadhai. Add the grated pumpkin and fry it on low flame till the raw smell goes away.Now add milk and let the pumpkin get cooked for some time. Add khoya and mix everything well.Keep stirring in between to avoid it sticking to the bottom of the kadhai. After some time, the halwa will start thickening. Add sugar and mix well.Keep stirring continuously when the halwa starts to thicken, add the dry fruits.Crush the cardamom pods with a mortar and pestle, discard the peels.Sprinkle the cardamom powder on the halwa and mix well. When the halwa starts leaving the sides of the kadhai, it is done and ready to be served.Serve Pumpkin Halwa as a dessert to your friends and family during Holi lunch or dinner.