Lauki Ka Halwa (Bottle gourd pudding)

Lauki ka Halwa

Lauki ka Halwa or bottle gourd pudding is a delicious and nutritious Indian dessert made from grated bottle gourd (lauki), milk, sugar and ghee, flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts like almonds and cashews. This halwa is known for its soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture and subtle sweetness, making it a comforting treat. The grated lauki is first  sauteed in ghee until tender then slow-cooked with milk until it absorbs the flavors and attains a rich, creamy consistency. Sugar is added for sweetness and cardamom enhances the aroma. Often prepared during festivals, fasting days or special occasions, Lauki ka Halwa is not only delicious but also packed with health benefits as bottle gourd is low in calories and rich in fiber and essential nutrients.

Recipe

Sharing traditional recipe of making Lauki ka Halwa at home easily.

Ingredients

Bottle gourd ( Lauki) : 1 (around ½ kg)
Sugar : 1.5 cup
Milk : 4 cup
Pure (Desi) Ghee: 2tsp
Almond sliced: 8-9
Raisins : 8-10
Cashew sliced: 4-6
Desiccated Coconut: 2 Tsp
Green Cardamom powder: ½ Tsp

Instructions

Peal the bottle gourd and grate it. Heat the desi ghee in a non stick pan/ Kadahi. Add grated bottle goud into it. Stir it at medium to sim flame for 5 minutes. Add milk to it while stirring continuously. Stir it at medium to sim flame until it attains the consistency of Halwa. Add sugar to it , stir it and let sugar mix well. Add green cardamom powder. Add sliced almonds, sliced cashew & raisins. Garnish with desiccated coconut powder. Serve Hot.

Lauki ka  halwa tastes exactly same as of Gajar ka Halwa ( Carrot pudding) without peach colour.. Kids normally don’t like Lauki but they definitely like it in this form, try at least once.

Notes

Dry fruits are optional. Adding it enhance the taste of halwa. Khoya/Mawa can be added by reducing the quantity of mik to half and add Khoya/ Mawa when lauki is cooked/done in milk.

Preparation time: 10-15 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Serving sufficient for 6 persons