Bottle Gourd(Anapakaya/Kaddu/Lauki) Halwa

Yesterday was last SravanaSukravaaram and I was tired of same old sweets and I was telling my neighbor I wanted to make something different this time. I could not think of anything easy and different. She suggested that I can try Bottle Gourd Halwa. I liked the idea because it was more than a a couple of years I haven't made this halwa. I know its very easy and simple to make.  So here I made the Halwa :)

Ingredients:

3 Cups Grated Bottle Gourd (Anapakaya/Surakaya/Kaddu/Lauki)
1 Cup Sugar
2 Tbsp Cardamom(Elachi) Powder
1/2 Cup Nuts n Raisins (I used Almonds n Cashewnuts)
4 Tbsp Ghee
Green Food Color (optional)

Yummy Bottle Gourd(Anapakaya/Kaddu/Lauki) Halwa

Process:

1. Take a wide non-stick pan, add 2 tablespoon Ghee, fry Nuts and Raisins till golden brown and keep them aside.
2. In the same pan add the remaining Ghee, grated Bottle Gourd and stir fry for 1 min. Cover it with lid and cook on low flame for 15 to 20 mins stirring occasionally.
3. Remove the lid and increase the flame to medium and cook till it becomes transparent and all the natural water evaporates.
4. Mix Green Food Color in two tables of water and stir it well with the cooked Bottle Gourd.
5. Add Sugar and cook till the sugar comepletely melts on low flame.
6. Finally add Cardamom Powder and fried Nuts and Raisins.
7. Yummy, yummy Bottle Gourd Halwa is ready to serve. Tastes best when served hot or warm.

Yummy Halwa - Close up look!

Happy Cooking!
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