Dudhi Halwa – Lauki Halwa (Bottle Gourd Pudding)

The holy month of Shravan began almost a month ago. But the best part of it at least for me begins this coming week. To be more specific it is almost time for the Ganesh festival to begin which is second only to Diwali in terms of its popularity in my home state. I will be just stating the obvious when I say that the festival is going to feel incomplete without sweets. So I will get straight to the point and tell y’all that an absolute must-have for me on this very special occasion is this sweet, buttery pile of delicious goodness also called as “DUDHI HALWA” (Bottle Gourd Pudding).

Ganesh Festival !!

Lord Ganesh also known as the elephant-headed God is the son of Lord Shiv and Parvati. As the legend goes it was decreed very early in his life that he should be the first God to be pleased before any other Gods will shower their blessings on you. So he does hold a special place in everyone’s life. The fact that he is cute and extremely adorable also adds to his charm. Basically at the end of Shravan people invite him to their homes in the form of beautifully decorated idols. He is then worshipped for a set number of days.

The easiest way to get into his heart is to make his favorite sweet called as MODAK. It is a sweet dumpling filled with a mixture of shredded coconut and jaggery. This is a bit difficult to make since it requires a little bit of artistry. I think I have finally worked up the courage to try it this year. If it ends up to be smooth sailing then I might have a couple of friends over for dinner. But that is a story for some other day. So I am not going to digress too much.

Seeing the degree of difficulty involved in making those dumplings I knew I had to have a Plan B just in case. That plan was certainly going to be something homemade and not some store bought sweet. Initially the plan was to keep it simple by buying carrots and making the tried and tested Carrot Halwa (Carrot Pudding). Happily for me that plan went right out of the window. That was because I laid my eyes on the plump Bottle Gourds in the produce section. These are known as Dudhi in my native language.

My favorite childhood delicacy

Bottle Gourd Pudding OR Dudhi Halwa may not be as well known as the carrot halwa but by no means it is less tasty. More importantly its always been a personal favorite of mine. I remember eating it with great relish every time MOM made it. I came back home thinking that I had all the bases covered for next week’s festival. What I had not counted on was me not being able to resist the temptation of waiting till next week to make one of my favorite childhood delicacies i.e. this halwa/pudding. (LAUGHS!!!)

How to make Dudhi Halwa – Lauki Halwa

Eventually I just gave in and decided to make it this week. I peeled and grated the bottle gourd and began to gently simmer them in milk. I have always liked the unique flavor and richness a little clarified butter adds to these halwas so that went into the pan also. After the milk is completely absorbed I sprinkled in some cardamom, sugar and sliced almonds for a little crunch and my Lauki Halwa was ready.

At this point wifey dear resorted to threats to prevent me from eating the halwa before the pictures were taken (LAUGHS!!!). I eventually caved in and took the pictures as quickly as I could. Then I got my hands on it!!! The moment that I was waiting on all day long was finally here. I took a bowl of the halwa, dipped my spoon in it. After I took the first bite I experienced eternal bliss. The sweet bottle gourd, the buttery goodness from the clarified butter, the cardamom and finally the crunchy almonds; it was all there just as I expected.

As for what I am going to do if my plans for next week go haywire then I will cross that bridge when I get there (CHUCKLES!!!!).

Tips to make Lauki Halwa:

• Use fresh and tender bottle gourd.
• Use a big grater, as you do not want your dudhi to be mushy. 
• Use grated Lauki/Bottle Gourd immediately, don’t leave it for too long on the shelves, as it becomes brown.
• To make dudhi halwa, use a heavy bottom pan. Cook on low medium flame and keep stirring, to avoid sticking and burning
• Saute grated dudhi for few minutes in ghee, to give it a nice richness.
• Use condensed milk to enhance the taste. Add in chopped dry fruits for extra crunch.
• Always use whole milk to make the Halwa.
• If the halwa is a bit runny whilst cooking, add some khoya or mawa.

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MORE DESSERT RECIPES TO TRY ..

• Coconut Chocolate Burfi
• Shrikhand Cannoli
• Chocolate Basundi
• Carrot Burfi
• Kesar (Saffron) Shrikhand

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DUDHI HALWA (Bottle Gourd Pudding)

Rahul

Dudhi Halwa a delicious desert made by slowly cooking bottle gourd in milk and nuts. Mmm…Each spoon will literally melt in your mouth

5 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Indian

Servings 5

Ingredients

  

• 2 Bottle Gourd/Dudhi
• 3 tbsp Ghee/ Clarified Butter
• 2 cups Milk
• ¾ cup Condensed Milk
• ½ cup Sugar
• ¼ cup Sliced Almonds
• 12 pods Cardamom Seeds taken out & powdered

Instructions

 

• Peel and grate bottle gourd, discard the seeds.
• Melt ghee in a non-stick pan on a low heat. Add the grated bottle gourd and milk and cook stirring frequently till the milk reduces by more than half.
• Pour condensed milk and continue to cook, till the mixture thickens.
• Now add sugar and the cardamom powder and continue to cook till the milk is completely absorbed.
• Sprinkle in the cardamom powder and garnish with sliced almonds.
• Serve it hot or cold

Keyword Bottle Gourd Pudding, Dudhi Halwa, Lauki Halwa

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