Thursday, December 13, 2007

White pumpkin Halwa / Kasi Halwa

When I was a little girl I used to enjoy my granny's Kasi halwa so much. It would be a melt-away moment in my mouth. My mom never attempted this as my granny was doing it anyway. Now it is 6 years since my granny passed away. And when I called my mom last week she told that she made kasi halwa following granny's procedure and that it tasted exactly the same. I didn't believe it fully as I know that my mom never tried it earlier. Still, I went ahead and got the recipe. The same night as 'B' was having dinner with his friends I decided to give the recipe a try as I had lots of time in my hands.

It didn't take long. Within 1/2 an hour the halwa was done. By the time it was over 'B' arrived home. He gave a look as though...why do you want to attempt halwa? It requires practice to do it. Anyway, I went ahead and served him the plate you see in the picture. Within minutes, I got so many wow's from him. For 'B' it was the first time he was tasting it , so he thought it was the best. As for me, I know how it is supposed to taste. So, I was really hoping that it tasted exactly as granny's.

Then the moment came...I took a spoonful and tasted it. Guess what happened. Before that.... Have you guys seen the "Ratatouille" movie? If so, you would know the 'Ego' food critic. Just like him, the moment I tasted my kasi halwa I was transported back to my childhood days in a flash. I had some happy tears in my eyes to see that I could recreate the same taste.

Many of you might be doing this regularly in your house and wonder why is she bragging so much for a pumpkin halwa. But for me, it is one of the special dishes made by my granny and it's been so many years since I had it. So, here is the recipe I enjoyed so much. I hope you do too.


Ingredients:
White Pumpkin- 2cups (grated)
sugar- 1 1/2 cups (increase or decrease as per taste)
ghee- 3 tbsp
cardamom- 3
milk- 1 cup
saffron- one pinch
red food color- a pinch
cashews and raisins- 1 tbsp each (or more if needed)


Procedure:
Peel off the outer skin from the pumpkin and grate it. Squeeze out the excess water from the gratings. Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a kadai and add the gratings and broken cardamom. Saute until any remaing water is absorbed. Add sugar and stir well. Now add milk and cook on low flame till the gratings are cooked soft and all the milk is absorbed. Now the halwa should be in a semi solid stage. Add ghee little by little stirring till you get the halwa continuously. Then add the fried nuts, raisins ,saffron and color powder. When the halwa leaves the sides of the pan switch off the stove. Serve this warm or at room temperature. I like mine warm. Here is a bite for you too!

51 comments:

indosungod said...

Halwa looks lovely. You are brave you attempted granny's recipe! Kudos for turning it out with exactly the same taste, that is no mean feat.

KALVA said...

Awesome recipe! I was actually looking out for squash halwa( gummadikaya halwa ) and yours is a great one. I will try soon/

Richa said...

sooooooooo tempting :) the color, texture looks beautiful!
I totally relate to ur feelings there, Kribha! my grandmom made the best Nan-Khatai EVER! nothing i tasted ever came close to it!!!

bee said...

is this the same as dumrote they serve in bangalore? i've had this with bottlegourd, but i gotta try this. thanks for the recipe. i love bottlegourd halwa, so i'm gonna surely like this.

Padmaja said...

Hey kribha!! thats one goodlooking halwa and i bet B must have thoroughly enjoyed eating it!! looks so yummy

remya said...

Ohh kribha......halwa looks sooo divine...thats a quick halwa...i'm not a grt fan of halwa.. ny hubby will definitely like this....will try sometime...

Seema said...

I love Kasi Halwa!! Its so yum!! Glad you could make as your granny's :-) Looks Delicious!

Kumudha said...

Kasi Halwa looks so good! I should try it sometime with alternative milk.

go_getter said...

Hi
I have been reading your blog from yesterday.I still can't stop browsing the recipes.I am very much surprised and happy to see so many people blogging in the kitchen.
The main thing that is attracting me towards yur blog is we can use your recipes for every day and most of them are healthy. I am against using oil/butter/paneer except for seasoning.Yours matches with my requirement.
Please continue blogging and try to add more "oil free recipes"
Vanji

Kalai said...

Wow! This looks really great, Kribha! I tried this once, but it didn't come out well. Will try your version for sure. I'm sure hubby will love it! :)

Anonymous said...

hi,

very nice recipe, i am felling like having a spoon from your blog, it is really attracting.

Just tell me is this can be done in all pumpkins, i think we get yellow pumpkin also, pls tell me, i need to try this

Chef Jeena said...

Kribha your halwa recipe looks soooooo delicious! I bet your granny would be so proud of you it looks totally gourmet! I love pumpkins and squash they have such a lovely fruity taste but can go savoury or sweet they are great. Your dish looks amazing no wonder your hubby loved it so much. Great pictures. :-)

DEEPA said...

This is awesome lady ...trust me i have easten this halwa only at my wedding ..I have never made it or eat it after that ...will try your version soon ...thks for sharing

Rajitha said...

kribha..love the color adn if you are telling me it is ur paati's recipe..i will try it for sure :)

Laavanya said...

I've never tasted this before Kribha but the way you've described this is just toooo tempting. The reference to Ratatouille was so funny.... :) I will keep this in mind when i get the white pumpkin next time.

Sagari said...

wowww kriba halwa looks soooo temptingggg lovely recipe pics look wonderfull

Kribha said...

Hi ISG,
You are so kind. Thankyou so much for your kind words. If you had not eaten this halwa before, please try it. You will surely like it

Hi Kalva,
Thanks for visiting and leaving those nice words. Actually, this recipe is specifically done with white Pumpkin. I'm not sure if gummadikaya is the same. Please check it out before trying.

Hi Richa,
Thanks dear for understanding. When I was writing the post I was wondering if people might think that I'm making a big fuss over a simple halwa. But I didn't know whatelse to write. I truly felt so happy to taste the halwa after such a long time.

Hi Bee,
I'm not sure if dumrote halwa is same as kasi halwa. When I searched in google some people say that both are same and some don't. Anyway, this was not made with bottlegourd. Just white pumpkin. Hope you give it a try sometime. One more thing, If I find out the answer for your question I will post it in your blog.

Hi Padmaja,
So nice to have you again and thanks for your nice words. "B" thoroughly enjoyed it. To tell you the truth, I had only 4 tsp of halwa. He finished all of it in 15 mins.:-(

Hi Remya,
Thanks for your comment dear. Do try it for your hubby sometime. He may like it.

Hi Seema,
Thanks for your precious words. I'm so happy that you liked it.

Hi Kumudha,
Thanks for your comment dear. Actually, you can skip the milk in this recipe. Instead you can keep the water that is in the pumpkin itself. don't squeeze it. This will help in the cooking of the pumpkin. Hope this helps.

Hi Vanji,
A warm welcome to you dear. I'm so happy to read your comment. I feel so humbled. I'm not sure if I'm worthy of it but it made me feel so good. Thanks for your encouragement. Will keep blogging more. Please drop a few words when you find time. It means so much to me.

Hi Kalai,
You can't go wrong with this recipe. Do try it sometime. You will surely like it.

Hi Anonymous,
Thanks for dropping by. Actually, this kasi halwa is specifically made with white pumpkin. I'm not sure if all pumpkins can be used for this. I'm so sorry dear. But try it sometime with white pumpkin. I'm sure you will like it.

Kribha said...

Hi Jeena,
Thankyou so much dear for your lovely comment.You are so kind. I'm sure my granny will be happy too but she is no more. Anyway she will be so happy to see me cooking atleast. :-)
Do give this recipe a try. You will surely like it.

Hi Deepa,
I'm so happy that you liked it. Do give it a try sometime. You will surely be pleased.

Hi Laavanya,
You haven't tasted it yet? You are missing something. Do give it a try sometime. You will surely surely like it.
Regarding the Ratatouille movie...really yaar. Truly that is what I felt. I was not sure if everyone saw that movie, but I had to mention it. :-)

Kribha said...

Hi Rajitha,
sorry to have missed you out dear. Do give this a try sometime. You will surely like it. The procedure is my granny's but the measurements are mine. Don't worry, I will not fail you.

Julie said...

I loved "Ratatouille," and that moment in the movie was so heart warming! I know exactly what you mean, too. I'm so glad you were able to recreate such a happy memory for yourself. The next time I come across a white pumpkin, I know I'll be trying this!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kribha,
very nice collection from you. i love your receipes.every alternative day, i check your site for new updates. the ksahi halwa is looking so nice.will try when i get a white pumpkin next time :).
which place r u from in India?i am from coimbatore.can i have your email id so that i can contect you(sorry if i am expecting tooo much :))

Finla said...

Halwa looks super delicious.
Hey join the club when i was making the cake i also had the same effect. I too can understand your feeling.
Isn't it a great feeling one has at that moment

Unknown said...

hey halwa looks yummy:) i always wanted to make those, do u have any recipes for the halwas we get in bakery (the red, green etc...i love the dark orange ones:) , ur halwa reminded me of those) ...

Rajesh &Shankari said...

Yummy halwa! I totally when u say U were thrilled that the nostalgic recipe tasted the way U'r grandma made it

Raks said...

I tried this once and it came out well...Your halwa's colour is awesome! Sorry for my late reply...I was checking daily...but 2 days i dint...:(

Meera said...

Nice write-up! I too feel the same when I make something that my grandmothers used to make and if it tastes just like that! Thanks for sharing a nice story and a great recipe too!

Dori said...

That's a nice story...I love to make things cooked by my grandma or mom. I also have an aunt who makes some great things I try to recreate. I find sometimes, I just miss having it made by them. This dish looks really good, I'm sure it was delicious :)

Anonymous said...

Kribha, The halwa looks so yummy. I want to try it this weekend or next for sure. Hope it turns out well.

-Priya

Ramya's Mane Adige said...

ohhhhh... This one looks sooo good!! My all time fav too :)

Kribha said...

Hi Julie,
I loved the movie too very very much. Glad to know that you will be trying the pumpkin halwa soon. Do let me know how it turned out.

Hi Anonymous,
First of all sorry for my late reply. Also, Thankyou so much for stopping by. I'm so glad to have you here. It's really so sweet of you to check my blog frequently for updates. But I'm sorry that I'm unable to keep up. Actually, during this season my son gets sick very frequently that I'm occupied with him most of the time. Anyway, I'll try to update whenever I can.
Are you from coimbatore? Hey, guess what? My native is coimbatore too. I did my schooling in St. Joseph's which is in the Trichy road. My email id is kribha@yahoo.com. Do feel free to write me anytime. I'll be happy to be in touch with you.

Hi HC,
Thanks for the welcome dear. Sure, it was such a great feeling to have the same taste after so many years.

Hi RV,
I have not yet mastered the art of making those halwas we get in shops. I still have trouble with the different stages of boiling sugar. This recipe dosen't require that expertise. That's why I tried it. Hope to do the halwas you mentioned someday.

Hi Shankari,
Thanks for understanding. Glad you liked it.

Hi Raji,
You don't have to apologise for commenting a little late. I'm just glad that you stopped by. Great to know that you have tried it too.

Hi Meera,
I'm so glad to have you here. Happy to know that you enjoyed my recipe and story. Just checked your blog. You have a great one too. Will be in touch.

Hi Messo,
That's so much true. Although I recreated the dish I just missed my granny doing it. Especially that special potion of love...oh I miss it soooo much.

Hi Priya,
Thankyou so much dear. I'm so happy that you are going to try it. Don't worry. It will come out fine. I hope your family enjoys it.

Hi Ramya,
Thanks dear. Glad to know that it's your fav too.

USHA said...

Hi Kribha,

No wonder that the sweet should be tasting really gr8..By seeing the snap itself i feel it...Oh my goodness..is this recipe from granny..then no doubt it is heaven in taste and perfectness...
From your wording i feel your love towards ur granny....

Viji said...

Kribha, i was wondering after seeing your mushroom, prawn recipes.. it will be another NV items. Oh, you did not disappoint me. The halwa is colorful and tempting. I could see the texture. Very nice. Viji

Bharathy said...

Now I want to pop in those prawns dowwwwn there one by oneinto my mouth along with a spoonful of poosani halwa...alterating this and that :)

KellytheCulinarian said...

Oh I love pumpkin! What a great ingredient.

Namratha said...

Hi Kribha, Kasi Halwa looks mouth watering, its one of my fav sweets.. :)My first time here, nice blog! Hey you are in Atlanta too...that's nice..where in Atlanta? I'm in Smyrna

Cynthia said...

Kribha, I am so happy for you. Your granny is in heaven smiling down at you. I know exactly what you mean and have experienced those random emotional moments too.

Shella said...

Wwooooo the halwa looks gorgeous. Promise me that you'll make this for me when I visit you!!

lakshmi said...

Dumroot in Karnataka - :D

This is the bestest halwa on earth (Badam Halwa comes next and Carrot Halwa doesn't figure in my list ;) )

Prema Sundar said...

looks very nice kribha. have bookmarked it. thanks.

FH said...

Slurp!! Great color Kribha, enjoy!:))

PancharaKutti:-) said...

Wow...the picture looks mouth watering ..already added in my must_try list...Lekshmy

Pravs said...

Color of the halwa is so good that it tempts me to try it :) Happy holidays to you, Kribha :)

Anonymous said...

hi kribha,
i tried your halwa yesterday, and it was perfect in taste.i was looking for an easy receipe from a long time, thank you so much :).

i have sent u an email also.
try sending a reply if u can, whenever u get time.

thank you again

take care.

regards,
sreelata

Kribha said...

Hi Usha, Viji and Bharathy,
Thankyou all for your kind comments. I'm so glad that you all liked it.

Hi Kelly Mahoney,
First of all I apologise for my late reply. Second, A warm welcome to you. I'm glad that you liked the halwa. Please keep visiting.

Hi Narmatha,
I'm so happy to have you here. Nice to know that you are in atlanta too. I live in suwanee. Do email me sometime. We can get in touch.

Hi Cynthia,
Thankyou so much dear for understanding what I meant.

Hi Shella,
Anytime for you dear. You are one of my special friends. I'll be glad to do it for you. :-)

Hi Lakshmi,
I love the order you have listed. I like it the same way too.

Hi Prema, Asha, Pravs,
Thankyou all for your kind comments. Glad that you all enjoyed it.

Hi Pancharakutti,
A warm welcome to you dear. I got to tell you....That's a really sweet name you have. Thanks for visiting my blog and please come back for more.

Hi Sreelata,
I don't know how much to apologise to you. So many things had been going on in the past month that I didn't sit with my laptop at all. Thankyou so much for trying the halwa. Also, tons of thanks for giving me a feedback. I did read you email two days back. I'll reply for it tomorrow. Please please bear with me.

Laavanya said...

Kribha, I made this just a while ago and we liked it a lot. My daughter and husband were very happy. Will post pics soon. Thank you for this failproof recipe.

Vijiram said...

Wow..it's mouth watering!! Halwa looks awesome. I would try this recipe for sure. Thanks for posting!

Archana Doshi said...

Lovely pictures make it very very apetizing. I love this halwa, I have never made it though, usually had them at the weddings. BTW, white pumpkin is bottle gourd right? or the white pumpkin used for avial's?
Archana
http://www.archanaskitchen.com

Kribha said...

Hi Laavanya,
Sorry for my late acknowledgement dear. I missed it somehow. Thankyou so much for trying it out and giving your feedback. I was so happy to know that it turned out good and you all enjoyed it. You made my day!

Hi Vijiram,
Thankyou so much dear. I'm glad that you liked it. Hope you give it a try sometime.

Hi Archana,
First of all sorry for my late reply. I'm happy that you liked the halwa. Actually white pumpkin is the one we use in avials. We call bottle gourd as sorakkai in tamil. You do do halwa with both the vegetables but I haven't tried it with bottle gourd before. Do try it sometime and let me know.

Anonymous said...

I typed "Kasi Halwa" in google. Your site came in top 5. I prepared the halwa last saturday and i mesmerized everyone with the taste! Credit goes to you. Thanks for sharing such a good recipe.
-RT

Rajimadhavan said...

Hi i searched for kasi halwa and ur recipe is awesome , all your other recipes are too mouth watering , I have added your blog to my favourite blog list , hope you dont have a problem with it .
Thanks,
Raji

Vannamalar said...

Kasi Halwa look wonderful. This is one of my favorite halwa. I visit your blog very often. Thanks for sharing your recipes with us.