Gajar ka Halwa

Red winter carrots slow-cooked in milk with ghee, cardamom and nuts. The pudding that announces a Delhi winter.

Prep15 min
Cook45 min
Total1 hr
Serves6
LevelMedium
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Gajar ka Halwa, plated and ready to serve

Red Delhi carrots arrive in the markets from November and give the deepest colour and sweetness. Orange carrots work too; add a little extra sugar.

Gajar ka Halwa

Ingredients

6 servings
  • 1 kgred carrots, grated
  • 1 lfull-fat milk
  • 150 gsugar
  • 3 tbspghee
  • 5green cardamom, crushed
  • 2 tbspcashews, chopped
  • 2 tbspalmonds, slivered
  • 1 tbspraisins

Quantities scale from the tested 6-serving batch. Cooking times may change for large batches.

Method

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  1. Cook the carrots and milk in a heavy pan on medium heat, stirring often, for 30–35 minutes until the milk is absorbed.

  2. Add the sugar; the mixture will loosen. Cook 8–10 minutes until thick again.

  3. Add ghee and cardamom. Stir-fry for 5 minutes until glossy.

  4. Fold in the nuts and raisins. Serve warm.

Notes & substitutions

  • Add 100 g crumbled khoya with the sugar for a richer halwa.
  • Keeps 4 days refrigerated; reheat with a splash of milk.

Questions

Can I make it in a pressure cooker?

Yes. Cook carrots with half the milk for 2 whistles, then reduce with the rest of the milk in an open pan.

Diet & allergens

  • Dairy
  • Tree nuts

Based on the listed ingredients. Check labels on packaged products such as hing, which is often blended with wheat flour.

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