Pumpkin Halwa – How to make halwa without white sugar| Poosanikai Halwa | Kaddu ka halwa | Gummadikaya Halwa

Pumpkin is one of the sweetest vegetable , which is rich in Vitamin A. It is low in calories and rich in vitamins and minerals. We south Indians make gravy, stir fry, side dish varieties and sweets among many other uses. Any dish made with sweet pumpkins will have sweet flavor. Making a sweet dish with it comes on its way very easily.

Health Benefits:

Medical News Today says consuming foods with high volumes of beta carotene may have the following benefits:

• reducing the risk of developing certain types of cancer
• offering protection against asthma and heart disease
• decreasing the risk of age-related macular degeneration
• reduces certain types of cancer
• preventing and controlling diabetes
• regulating blood pressure
• Pumpkins contain a wealth of antioxidants. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene support eye health and prevent degenerative damage in older adults.

Here I show you the recipe of pumpkin halwa in an easy way without using white sugar. Using white sugar makes it more sweeter and unhealthy too. So, we go for healthy choice of adding palm jaggery to it. Enjoy the sweet dessert without guilt.

Required ingredients:

Pumpkin – 500g
Palm jaggery – 1/2 cup
Ghee – 50 ml
Cardamom powder – 1/4 tsp
Cashews – 10 split

Preparation Method:

• Clean and chop the pumpkin into small pieces after removing the skin.
• In a kadai, add 1 tbsp ghee and fry the cashews till golden brown. Remove to a plate.
• In the same kadai, add chopped pumpkin and cook stirring occasionally.
• Cook covered until its done and then mash it slightly with ladle or masher.
• Add jaggery, cardamom powder and mix well.
• When the water is fully absorbed, add ghee and mix well.
• Add fried cashews and mix well.
• Top it with some sliced almonds and serve.

Step-wise pictures:

1. Clean and chop the pumpkin into small pieces after removing the skin.
2. In a kadai, add 1 tbsp ghee and fry the cashews till golden brown. Remove to a plate.
   
3. In the same kadai, add chopped pumpkin and cook stirring occasionally.
4. Cook covered until its done and then mash it slightly with ladle or masher.
   
5. Add jaggery, cardamom powder and mix well.
   
6. When the water is fully absorbed, add ghee and mix well.
7. Add fried cashews and mix well.
   
   
8. Top it with some sliced almonds and serve.
   

References:

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279610