What is Gajar Halwa ?
Sprinkled with raisins and cashews, infused with the aroma of cardamom and ghee, Gajar Halwa is one of the most popular Indian sweets. Gajar meaning carrot and Halwa meaning pudding is also a winter welcoming delicacy.
Gajar Halwa must be prepared with whole-milk. The shortcut version is by adding condensed milk and for a much richer taste, people add mawa/ khowa at the end.
Gajar Halwa with Red Carrots
Back in India, around this time of the year, you will find red carrots in the market. Red carrots are much sweeter and tender as compared to the regular orange carrots. For the first time, I came across the Indian red carrots out here in the Bay Area. It is available in few selected Indian stores and a friend bought us 4 lbs. I had to make Gajar Halwa and made it twice in a week. Talk of indulgence!
Few Key Notes
Some traditional desserts deserve time and attention. I don’t take shortcuts with Gajar Halwa. USE WHOLE MILK - It is always prepared with whole milk that I simmer for a while to thicken before I add the grated carrots. SHORTCUTS - If you have no time to simmer the milk for 15 minutes, you can thicken it faster by adding condensed milk or evaporated milk. ADDING MAWA AT THE END - Adding bit of solid milk (mawa/khowa) at the end gives a rich taste. I somehow don’t like the texture it turns into. I like creamy Gajar Halwa, and so I skip that mawa part. If you want to add mawa than add it right at the end after the Halwa is almost ready. ADDING GHEE - All Indian puddings call for ghee. It adds a glossy shine, richness and definitely that beautiful aroma to the final dish. Don’t skip this part.
Always remember that while preparing the gajar halwa, add sugar only after the carrots are almost softened. Adding sugar in the beginning will slow down the softening of the grated carrots.
Gajar Halwa { Indian Dessert } Gajar Halwa is one dessert I make every Diwali too. While growing up, Diwali for me was all about busting crackers and helping Mom lighting diyas (little oil lamps). All the glitters and shimmers, everyone wears new outfits, the feeling was something that is not easy to describe in words! Then, there was the array of Diwali treats that she would start prepping for almost a week in advance. However, Mom never made this Halwa that often. It would be mostly payesh or sondesh. For Arvind, Gajar Halwa is a must during Diwali and during cozy winter time. Gajar Halwa might need some effort but at the end, it always feels so worth it. You can wow your guest easily with this creamy, rich lusciousness.
