White Pumpkin Halwa

This is a Sweet Wedding Anniversary treat  for my parents as well as my husband’s parents  who incidentally celebrate their wedding anniversaries  just a few days apart in the first week of May!
I dedicate this sweet dish to the wonderful couples whose affection, love, devotion, sincerity and dedication is unsurpassed !!

This sweet treat is  very popular in  weddings as well.  The main ingredient is the White Pumpkin and ofcourse Sugar for the sweetness!
Lesser quantity of  sugar is used in the preparation of this dish when compared to other sweet treats!

Pumpkins are available in a wide range of white, yellow, and orange colours, are excellent in nutritional value. 
The white pumpkin is rich in Vitamin A and Protective Antioxidants. Being highly nutritious, the juice made out of  this exotic vegetable, is considered to reduce cholesterol levels too!!!!
This vegetable cooks in minutes!!

Ingredients to serve 6 people

4 Cups Grated White Pumpkin
 1 ½ -2 Cups Sugar
1 Tsp Cardamom Powder
8 Tbs Ghee
2 Tbs Cashew nuts (chopped)
Pinch Orange Flavouring (Optional)

White Pumpkin Halwa

Preparation

Chop the pumpkin into big chunks, taking the skin out and scoop out the inside of the pumpkin along with the seeds
Grate the pumpkin, drain all the water and set aside
Melt one tablespoon of ghee in a large pan and fry the chopped cashew nuts and keep aside
Add another two tablespoons of ghee, saute the drained grated white pumpkin for a few minutes till the raw smell disappears
Pour the sugar to the above mix
Stir through and cook for about 5 minutes till it starts to glisten
Add the food colouring and the remainder of the ghee
Stir it for a further 3-4 minutes till the mixture comes together.
(when it is semi solid in texture, remove from flame so it does not harden)
Garnish it with the fried cashew nuts and cardamom powder

Note:  Ensure that all water is fully drained after you grate the pumpkin by squeezing the excess water out
This would enable the halwa to be completed in less than 15 minutes!