Carrot Halwa / Carrot Dessert ( காரட் அல்வா )

Carrot Halwa / Carrot Dessert

 ( காரட் அல்வா )

Ingredients:

Shredded fresh Carrot ( துருவிய காரட் ) - 4 Cups

Ghee (Clarified butter) / Unsalted butter ( நெய் ) - 1/2 Cup

Sugar ( சக்கரை ) - 2 Cups 

Condensed Milk ( கெட்டி பால் )  - 100 ml ( optional ) 

Almonds ( பாதாம் ) - 50 -70 g

Raisins (  உலர்ந்த திராட்சை ) - 50 g

Powdered Cardamom ( ஏலக்காய் பொடி )  - 1 tsp

Steps:

Soak almonds for an hour. Peel and slice each nut into thin pieces lengthwise.

Wash the carrots, wipe dry. Shred the carrots.

Heat ghee in a heavy bottom pan. Fry the almonds and raisins. 

Remove from ghee and keep aside.

In the same pan, add the shredded carrots and saute in a medium flame.

When the carrots are half cooked, add in the sugar. 

Stir continuously  and cook. Add 1 or 2 tsp of ghee if required.
Now add in the condensed milk. Turn the content frequently with the ladle.

Carrot and the milk will blend well, forming a wholesome dessert consistency. That is the time to switch off the flame. Add in powdered cardamom and fried almonds and raisins.
Transfer to serving bowl.

My Notes:

A simple dish but can be turned to a rich  yummy healthy dessert with the inclusion of certain ingredients.The crunchy almonds give a rich taste, healthier choice to cashew nuts, which is generally used. I use a substantial amount for that nutty taste. Raisin adds colour as well taste to the dish.

Condensed milk will bind with the carrot to give a wholesome texture and also an enhanced flavour to the dessert. Reduce the sugar if you are using the condensed milk and also if you prefer the dessert to be less sweet. 

Another version of this dessert is to make sugar syrup of one string consistency and add the shredded carrot which was sauteed in ghee for a minute or two. Milk is not used in this recipe.

A third type is to slow cook carrot in milk and then add sugar. 

Which ever method, the dessert is yummy. 

It was Navarathiri. Golu time, with many invites I had made this carrot halwa to bring to each of my friends' house. 

I love to eat carrot halwa with a dollop of ice cream. Be it vanilla or butter scotch, it is double dhamakka. ;))