Hello Foodies!
Whenever we hear about Halwa, we always remember the tasty semolina and Moong Dal halwa made by our grandmothers or mothers. Isn’t it? But, have you ever thought that the halwa can be healthy and made from a pumpkin? If not, then you must try it once. Halwa’s sweetness, combined with Pumpkin’s health benefits, makes it a perfect fit to try in the winter. As winter always comes with cozy and lazy moments, it becomes essential to maintain health during the season. So, all the sweet lovers, if you also want to maintain your health but can’t give up on sweets, try it out once!
Ingredients
- Yellow Pumpkin- 2 cups (grated)
- Saffron- 10-12 Strings (soaked in water)
- Milk Maid- ½ cup (Home-made)
- Cardamom- ½ teaspoon (freshly crushed)
- Almonds – for garnishing (chopped lengthwise)
Note: To make homemade Milkmaid, blend ½ cup of soaked cashews/ peeled almonds along with ¼ cup of dates and a little water.
Preparation Time: 10-15 Minutes
Instructions
Now, to make the recipe, gather all the ingredients in one place so that you don’t have to rush anywhere. Also, make sure that you are measuring the quantity properly. Once done, jump straight to the instructions mentioned below so as to not wait for a long time in order to taste this fantastic yet sweet-sweet Halwa.
- Heat a skillet and put grated yellow pumpkin in it. Along with this, add soaked saffron strands and mix well.
- Cover the skillet with a lid and cook them for five minutes. Later, remove the lid and cook until no moisture is left in it.
- Now, add homemade milkmaid. To make a milkmaid you need to blend half a cup of soaked cashews or almonds (peeled) along with ¼ cup of dates and a little water.
- Mix the ingredients well and cook for two to three minutes until it attains the consistency of Halwa
- Now, add freshly crushed cardamom and almonds and mix.
- Halwa is ready to serve!
- Enjoy this healthy Halwa with your family and friends!!
Still Confused? Check out this Pumpkin Halwa recipe video!
Benefits
Even though it is a dessert, the recipe is full of benefits. So, let’s explore the benefits in detail.
Pumpkin
The Pumpkin contains beta-carotene, an antioxidant that protects the body from damaging molecules called free radicals. Free radicals damage cells through oxidation. Over time, this damage can lead to several chronic illnesses. Furthermore, beta-carotene also helps to combat the effect of aging. The Vitamin A in Pumpkin helps to maintain healthy eyesight along with the lowered risk of certain kinds of cancers. In addition to beta carotene and Vitamin A, pumpkin also contains vitamin E, vitamin C, and Folate, which strengthen the immune system.
Dates
Dates are highly nutritious and rich in fiber which helps in preventing constipation and promotes regular bowel movement. It helps to reduce inflammation and reduces the risk of diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. The carotenoids present in the dates promote heart health and also reduce the risk of eye-related disorders. Also, eating dates improves the functioning of the brain.
Saffron
As we all know, saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, but it is very rich in antioxidants that protect cells against free radicals and oxidant stress. Saffron also contains cancer-fighting properties and also helps to reduce PMS symptoms. Consuming Saffron also lowers blood sugar levels and reduces heart disease risk factors.
Almonds
Almonds can help in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) and increasing good cholesterol (HDL). Almonds have enough calcium and potassium to support your bone health. Almonds can also help keep your gut healthy, which means a healthy body and a great immune system. The high content of vitamin E in them helps in fighting free radicals.
Now, that you know the recipe for a healthy sweet dish, why wait any further? Give your family members a treat of this yummy pumpkin halva and get ready to receive praises.
Love guilt-free desserts? Check out these healthy dessert recipes!
References :
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10030350/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3992385/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4599112/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-almonds
Mrs. Pushpa Khurana is a remarkable academic and culinary expert who has excelled in both education and cooking. Her academic Read more