Pumpkin Halwa is called Kaddu Ka Halwa in Hindi. Subtly flavored, this halwa variant made with pumpkin along with cardamom, melon seeds and nuts - is quite easy to prepare and makes for a delightful dessert as well.
Rinse the pumpkin or kaddu first in water. Peel and chop into small cubes. Smaller the better as they will cook faster. Also, remove the pith and seeds while chopping.
Heat the oil or ghee in a 3 litre pressure cooker.
Add the pumpkin cubes in the pressure cooker.
Mix and sauté till they start releasing water or for about 8 to 10 minutes on a low heat.
Add water and stir to combine.
Cover and pressure cook the kaddu pieces for 4 to 5 whistles or until the pumpkin has become mushy.
*For making the halwa in a pan, check notes below.
Open the lid only when the pressure drops naturally in the cooker.
And check if the kaddu pieces have softened or not.
They should be of mashable consistency.
If they have not cooked thoroughly, then pressure cook for few more minutes, adding some more water, if required.
Once the kaddu pieces have cooked well then place the pressure cooker on stovetop and keep to simmer on low to medium-low hat.
After 1 to 2 minutes of simmering, add sugar and cardamom powder.
Cook the mixture stirring often till it thickens.
The consistency of the halwa should like be a pudding or pumpkin puree.
The water should reduce in the halwa.
You can thicken it more if you want.
Add the melon seeds and chopped nuts and cook the halwa for 1 to 2 minutes more.
Serve pumpkin halwa warm or cold.
You can also garnish it with melon seeds or preferred nuts. Refrigerate the leftovers. This halwa keeps well for 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator.
Notes
* If making in a pan, when the pumpkin cubes begin to release water, add ¾ to 1 cup water from above. Stir and cover and cook till the pumpkin pieces have softened completely. If the water dries up then add more water. Then proceed with the rest of the recipe.
Add sugar as needed. In place of sugar you can also add jaggery. With jaggery the color of the Kaddu ka Halwa will change.
Add nuts and dry fruits of your choice. You can also add some raisins and coconut if you prefer.