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–+ servings

Pumpkin Halwa

6182kcal
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Prep 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook 1 hour
Total 2 hours 15 minutes
Pumpkin transformed into a delicious dessert flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts.
Servings 1 cup
Course Dessert
Cuisine Indian

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs Pumpkin
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 2 tbsp Ghee Use Oil instead to make it dairy-free
  • 8 tbsp Almonds Slivers

Method

Prepare the Pumpkin - Baking Method
  1. You need to cook the pumpkin first before can make the halwa by baking, boiling or sautéing. My preference is to use the baking method because I can just scoop the flesh out of the cooked pumpkin very easily.
  2. Remove the seeds and the stringy portion and put aside.
  3. Bake the pumpkin at 375 F facedown or face-up with a foil over it for about 60-75 minutes for a 2 pound chunk.
  4. Check if the pumpkin is ready by poking it with a fork. If it is soft then it is done and you can take it out of the oven.
  5. Let it cool enough so it's safe to handle and scoop out the flesh using a large spoon. Discard any burned flesh.
Prepare the Pumpkin - Sautéing Method
  1. Remove the seeds and the stringy portion and put aside.
  2. Remove the skin and cut the pumpkin into chunks.
  3. Follow the cooking instructions below.
Cooking the Halwa
  1. Place a non-stick pan on medium heat, add the ghee and pumpkin, mix them up and mash in the pan.
    NOTE: If you’re starting with raw pumpkin cook covered for around 10 minutes until the pumpkin is soft enough to mash.
    2 tbsp Ghee, 2 lbs Pumpkin
  2. When the pumpkin is completely mashed add the sugar and mix well.
    1/2 cup Sugar
  3. You need to continue cooking for a while until the liquids dry up and the pumpkin turns an amber, glossy red.
    NOTE: See the recipe notes for pictures that show the changes in color as the pumpkin cooks, to guide you.
  4. A good sign that it's ready is that the pumpkin doesn't stick any more to the pan. When that happens reduce the heat, add the cardamom powder, mix well, cook for another minute and take the pan off the heat.
  5. Garnish with the slivered almonds and serve.
    8 tbsp Almonds Slivers

Nutrition

Serving1 portionCalories6182kcalCarbohydrates214gProtein291gFat515gSaturated Fat100gPolyunsaturated Fat201gMonounsaturated Fat181gTrans Fat1gCholesterol77mgSodium66mgPotassium7928mgFiber64gSugar116gVitamin A146IUVitamin C17mgCalcium634mgIron83mg

Notes

Pumpkin Color Changes as it cooks.
After 30 minutes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
After 45 minutes
 
 
 
 
 
 
After 55 minutes

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