Ash gourd or white pumpkin halwa is a traditional recipe from Thanjavur district. Amust on every wedding menu I learnt to make this dish from my mother, an excellent cook.
What you need
Grated ash gourd - 2 cups
Sugar - 2 cups
Saffron - a pinch
Cardamom- 4-5
Ghee - 2-3 tsp
Cooking instructions
Remove the seeds and grate the ash gourd.
Cook this on a low flame in a thick bottomed vessel. You can also cook it in the microwave without adding water.
When the ash gourd is cooked and becomes soft add sugar.
Add a pinch of saffron, and cardamom powder and cook again on a low flame.
Add the ghee and keep stirring.
Remove from fire when the halwa leaves the sides of the vessel.
R. Chitra is a homemaker who loves cooking traditional as well as modern cuisine. A graduate in nutrition she is particular about retaining the nutritive value of the dish.