Lauki ka Halwa - A Sweet and Healthy Treat for Winters

Introduction to Lauki ka Halwa

Lauki halwa is a popular dessert in Indian cuisine made using bottle gourd or opo squash, milk, ghee, sugar, cardamom, and nuts. This dish is a well-known variant of halwa and is made with a vegetable - in this case, with Bottle Gourd, also called Lauki or Ghiya in Hindi and Dudhi in Marathi languages. This sweet is known as ‘lauki ka halwa’ or ‘dudhi halwa.’ Dudhi ka Halwa has a smooth, creamy texture and a delectable taste that many love. The bottle gourd is grated and cooked in ghee until it is soft and tender, then cooked with milk and sugar, and finally flavored with cardamom and nuts to create a delicious, sweet dish that can be enjoyed any day. This halwa variant is prevalent during Hindu fasting days like Navratri fast or Ekadashi. It is a perfect dessert to serve after a meal or to share with friends and family during festive occasions.

How To Make Lauki Ka Halwa

This Lauki halwa recipe follows a similar cooking technique to Carrot Halwa. The grated bottle gourd is first sautéed in ghee and then simmered in milk until it reaches a thick consistency. While not difficult to make, it does take some time and requires constant stirring. Therefore, preparing this sweet dish while cooking something else is best.

Ingredients for Lauki Halwa

• 1 medium-sized lauki (bottle gourd)
• 1/2 cup ghee
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 cups full-fat milk
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios)

Instructions to Cook Dudhi ka Halwa/ Lauki ka Halwa:

• Peel and grate the bottle gourd and set it aside.
• Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadhai. Add the grated bottle gourd and sauté on medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
• Add milk and cook on medium-low heat until the milk is reduced to half, stirring occasionally.
• Add sugar and mix well. Cook until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture thickens.
• Add cardamom powder and chopped nuts and mix well.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes until the halwa reaches a pudding-like consistency.
• Garnish with more chopped nuts and serve hot or cold.

Recipe of Dudhi Halwa with Milkmaid

To make Dudhi Halwa with Milkmaid, you'll need the following ingredients:

• 1 large dudhi (also known as bottle gourd or lauki)
• 1 can of Milkmaid (sweetened condensed milk)
• 1/4 cup ghee
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp chopped nuts (pistachios, almonds, cashews)

Here are the steps to follow:

• 1. Peel and grate the dudhi using a grater or food processor.
• 2. In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the ghee on medium heat.
• 3. Add the grated dudhi to the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes until it softens and releases its water content.
• 4. Add the milk and cardamom powder to the pan and stir well.
• 5. Cook for 10-12 minutes until the milk is absorbed and the dudhi is cooked.
• 6. Add the sugar and Milkmaid to the pan and mix well.
• 7. Cook for another 10-12 minutes until the mixture thickens and starts leaving the pan's sides.
• 8. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve hot or cold.

Enjoy your delicious Dudhi Halwa with Milkmaid!

To Conclude

One of the most distinctive and beloved traditional Indian desserts is Lauki ka Halwa. Grated bottle gourd slices set this recipe apart, which provide a unique texture and flavor when caramelized with sugar. Grating the gourd makes it crunchy and caramelized, resulting in a decadent and irresistible dessert. 

Since winters have arrived, what better way to warm yourself up by having a nice bowl of hot or warm lauki ka halwa. When preparing lauki halwa, one common issue is the curdling of the milk. To avoid this problem, we recommend using full-cream or full-fat milk instead of low-fat or skimmed milk. Ensuring that the milk used is fresh and within its shelf period is vital. Alternatively, you can also use pasteurized milk or homogenized milk. Using these tips, you can prevent the milk from curdling and create a delicious batch of lauki halwa.