Gajar ka Halwa is carrot halwa, a traditional Indian sweet made with milk and carrots. This dish is usually made on spacial occasions like festivals, celebrations and parties. My mum used to make this every winter – I just love her Gajar ka Halwa so much, that I learned how to make it when I lived in Dublin.
Carrots are found in many colours, including yellow, white, orange, red and purple. The traditional orange coloured carrots get their bright colour from beta-carotene, an antioxidant that is converted to vitamin A in the body.
Chocolate is not the go-to sweet in India.
Indian sweets are made out of fruits, vegetables, milk or nuts. It is a different concept of sweets, just equally delicious and good for you.
Ingredients
1 kg carrots
2 l milk
8 cardamoms
7 tbsp ghee
5-7 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp raisins
1 tbsp shredded almonds and cashews
2 tbsp chopped pista
Instructions
- Peel and grate the carrots
- Combine the shredded carrots with milk and let it simmer with cardamom until 1/4 of the liquid is left.
- Add sugar and continue cooking until the milk is completely evaporated.
- Heat ghee in a heavy pan and add the carrot-milk mixture and roast over a gentle flame for 10-15 minutes.
- Stir in dried fruits and serve.
Notes
Make sure to always stir the carrot and milk mixture. Milk burns quickly.