Dudhi / Lauki Halwa : Bottle Guard Pudding

Many people dont like Bottle Guard. I have seen very few who actually does like it, one of them is me. There was time when plain boiled Lauki with just salt and turmeric was my favorite breakfast. Somehow am fond of eating vegetables on their own without any chapathi or bread. People get amused when they see me having daal or vegetables just like that. But I have liked it this way since childhood.. Bottle Guard can be cooked in various tastes. It has a natural sweetness which can be used to make some spicy Masala side dish or can e mixed with pulses for amazing main.. For dessert its no less than any other vegetable, halwa prepared with Bottle Guard is an amazing sweet that will rule your heart for sure. If you or your kids are not a big fan of this nature's gift, try this to reap its benefits .. And this is very easy to prepare specially if you have a food processor to grate the vegetable.

My Mum used to prepare it quite often. What we didnt realise then was that she prepared it after a heavy meal day to calm down our stomachs.. Mums are magical you agree :) Please take care of one thing, there should not be any seeds in it. That will ruin the taste of halwa.. Fresh Lauki will work best for this. I have tried to use very less ghee in it and I cooked without sugar coz I was using Condensed Milk. You can adjust it according to your taste. Also, I used pressure cooker for making this so the cooking time was reduced. You can try it in Pan but then you will have to stir a lot.. Am  not that patient. Your call :)

Ingredients:
1. 1 kg Bottle Guard, peeled and grated almost 2 cups
2. 1 can condensed Milk
3. 1 tbsp Ghee
4. 1/4 cup flaked almonds
5. 1/2 tsp Cardamom powder

Method:
Squeeze grate Bottle guard and keep aside the water for use in any other curry dish. Can be used for upto 2 days if kept in Fridge.
Heat ghee in Pressure Cooker and fry grated Bottle Guard in it for 5-7 min till the water evaporates completely but it should  not stick to the bottom of the Cooker.

Add condensed milk and sugar and mix well. Close the cooker and cook till one whistle. You dont need to add water into it. Open when pressure ease off.
Now add cardamom powder and flaked almonds and stir on low flame for 2 min.
Have it pipping hot and fall in love with it :)

Goes for tasting to
Archana's Festive Potluck started by Krithi

Sameena's Only Diwali Sweets

Gayathri's Only Sweets and Desserts

Khushi's My Diwali My Way
Anu's Festival Of Lights