LAUKI HALWA

The goodness of the veggie(bottle gourd) combined with the sweetness of the sugar, milk and crunchiness of the nuts forms a perfect dessert called lauki halwa. Many may be new to making this halwa, but this is also prepared the same way as the carrot halwa is made. Green color can be added to make the dish colorful, but I haven’t used. This simple tasteful awesome dish is perfect for any occasion. Next time you make a dessert prepare this to surprise your loved ones.
INGREDIENTS

• Bottle gourd                        1 medium
• Sugar                                    2 cups
• Milk                                      2 cups
• Dry fruits of ur choice          3 Tsp
• Ghee                                    1/4 cup
• Cardamom powder               1/2 tsp
• Green color                          a pinch(optional)

PROCEDURE
Peel the lauki and discard the soft layer inside the vegetable. Grate the lauki and squeeze out the water from it. Measure the grated lauki. It should be exactly 2 cups. Adjust the sugar accordingly. The lauki to sugar ratio should be 1:1.
Heat a pan and add a table spoon of ghee. Roast the dry fruits and keep them aside. In the same ghee fry the grated lauki. When the lauki looses its raw flavor add the milk and color if you like( here I haven't used the color). There is no perfect measure for milk. Increase or decrease according to your taste. I prefer more milk and this way you can decrease the amount of ghee as the milk evaporates and forms khoya.
Cook on a medium flame stirring intermittently. When the milk totally evaporates add the sugar . Keep stirring and add a table spoon of ghee at a time. When the halwa forms a lump add the cardamom and fried dry fruits. Remove and serve hot.