Papaya Halwa is a Indian sweet or dessert made with papaya. This Papaya Sweet is prepared by slow-cooking semi-ripe papaya, sugar and almond powder in oil. With hints of lovely cardamom, it makes for tasty dessert to end your meals with.
1papayamedium-sized and semi-ripe, approx. 4.5 cups of chopped papaya or 3.5 to 4 cups of grated papaya
2 to 3tablespoonssunflower oilor any neutral oil, can add ghee instead
4 to 5tablespoonssugar- or as required as per the sweetness of the papaya
2 to 3green cardamomspowdered or ½ teaspoon green cardamom powder
2tablespoonsalmond powder or milk powder or coconut powder or evaporated milk solids (khoya or mawa) - I used 15 almonds and ground them to get about 2 tablespoons of almond powder
Remove the seeds and the pith from the top. Peel the slices.
Then chop the papaya slices, finely. You could also grate the papaya if its semi-ripe.
Making papaya halwa
Heat oil or ghee in a kadai or pan. Add the finely chopped papaya.
Stir and cook on a low flame for about 14 to 15 minutes.
Keep on stirring on occasions while cooking the papaya.
The fruit will release it juices, change color and loose its opacity.
At this point, add sugar and then stir to combine. Continue to cook for further 18 to 20 minutes on a low heat.
By now the oil will begin to separate.
Add ground almonds and stir.
Cook for 5 to 6 minutes more till the whole papaya halwa has gotten together and become one whole.
Add cashews and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more.
Serve papaya halwa hot or warm. You can also refrigerate and serve the halwa as a cold dessert.
Notes
One medium papaya yielded approx. 2 servings of the halwa. So double the quantity for 3 to 4 servings.
This recipe is not a recipe, but just the method of making halwa. The quantity of ingredients can always be increased or decreased. So the recipe post is just a guideline.
If possible use semi-ripe papaya. You can also make with ripe papaya. No need to add sugar if making with a really ripe and sweet papaya.
I have made the papaya halwa with sunflower oil, but you can make with ghee if you prefer.