Lauki Ka Halwa / Bottle Gourd Halwa

Course: Dessert. Cuisine: Indian. Author: Jyoti Behrani. Prep Time: 10 minutes. Cook Time: 15 minutes. Total Time: 25 minutes. Servings: 8.

Instructions for Instant Pot Cooking:

1. Soak saffron strands in 2 tbsp of warm milk, keep it aside.
2. Turn on Instant Pot to saute mode (high).
3. When it displays "HOT", add 1 tbsp of ghee, grated lauki.
4. Saute for 3-5 min, sauteing occasionally. Add cup of milk. Mix well. Turn off Instant Pot.
5. Turn on Manual/Pressure cook mode (high), 5 mins, vent sealed. When Instant Pot beeps, quickly release pressure. Open the IP lid.
6. Turn on saute mode (high), add cream, milk powder, condensed milk, saffron soaked in milk, cardamom powder, almond flour. Mix well.
7. Saute on high until all the moisture is evaporated, around 5-7 mins.
8. Switch off Instant Pot.
9. Lauki Ka Halwa is ready to be served. Garnish with some silvered almonds. Enjoy!!

Notes:

1. Grate the lauki to a medium thickness, if grated too thin the halwa will turn mushy and if grated too thick halwa will have big pieces.
2. Adjust the sweetness as per taste.
3. Almond flour is optional, you can substitute crushed almonds instead or make it nut-free. Nuts of choice such as cashews, raisins may also be added.
4. Halwa stays good for a week in a refrigerator and up to a month in a freezer.
5. Cardamom powder and saffron gives lauki ka halwa a nice aroma.
6. For stove top cooking, follow the same instructions as discussed in the recipe. Add milk, bring the mixture to a boil, reduce and cook until all the moisture has evaporated, around 10-15 mins, stirring occasionally to prevent any sticking to the bottom. Rest of the steps remain the same as Instant Pot. Note: Use a dutch oven or heavy bottom pot for cooking halwa on a stove top. Helps prevent sticking of halwa at the bottom.
7. Instead of condensed milk, you can also use sugar; condensed milk gives halwa a nice rich taste. You may also substitute khoya to enhance the flavor.
8. Few drops of green food color may be added to get the green color halwa.
9. For vegan / dairy free options please refer to the post's section on making Lauki Ka Halwa vegan/dairy-free.
10. For nut-free options please refer to the post's section on making Lauki Ka Halwa nut-free.
11. For refined sugar-free options please refer to the post's section on making Lauki Ka Halwa sugar-free.