Pumpkin halwa is a popular dessert consumed during the Navratri. In fact, the pumpkin halwa recipe is commonly searched by those looking for Navratri vrat food because it’s a quick and easy recipe to follow. Additionally, it uses ingredients that are easily available and which most home cooks are familiar with – thus, minimising the possibility of messing up the dish.
Pumpkin halwa, also known as kaddu ka halwa, is made from grated pumpkin cooked in ghee (and milk, if using – it adds creaminess to the dish), sweetened with sugar or jaggery, and garnished with cardamom powder (for the aroma) and dry fruits (for the crunch). To make it richer, add about 50 g of mawa or khoya to this pumpkin halwa recipe. It’s easily customisable for a vegan version – all you need to do is swap the ghee and milk for vegan alternatives. While it takes about 30 minutes to cook, you can pressure-cook the pumpkin (for 3-4 whistles) before sauteeing for faster results.
While the recipe is fairly simple, keep a few things in mind to achieve optimal results. Firstly, choose a fully ripe yellow pumpkin for a naturally sweeter flavour. Secondly, ensure the moisture dries up completely to achieve the right consistency. And now you have all the basic information you need to make this nutritious dessert in your kitchen.
Peel, deseed, and grate the pumpkin. Grated pumpkin works better for the halwa texture. Now, heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or pressure cooker and sauté the pumpkin for 7-10 minutes until it softens and the raw smell disappears.
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Cook the pumpkin
If using milk, add it to the pan and let the pumpkin simmer until most of the moisture evaporates. If not using milk, continue cooking the pumpkin until it softens and reduces. Now, add sugar or jaggery and cook on low heat, stirring continuously. The mixture will loosen at first. Keep cooking until it thickens again and starts leaving the sides of the pan.
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Finish and serve
Once the halwa is cooked and sweetened, stir in cardamom powder. Turn off the heat, garnish with dried nuts, and serve hot. You can also store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Use red or orange-fleshed pumpkins (often called kaddu in India) as they are sweeter and produce better texture than green ones.
This occurs if too much milk is added or if the pumpkin wasn't cooked long enough. Continue cooking on low heat, stirring frequently until it thickens.
Yes, but it may change the texture of the halwa. Freshly grated pumpkin is preferred for the best result. Mashed or pureed pumpkin is softer and thus yields a less traditional texture.
The vegan pumpkin halwa recipe does not require many changes from the traditional approach. Simply swap ghee with coconut oil or another plant-based oil, and use coconut milk or almond milk instead of dairy milk.