Kumbalanga halwa

Ash gourd which is rich in vitamin C is a popular vegetable that is usually added in many traditional savoury recipes of Kerala.

However, not many know that delicious desserts too could be made using this vegetable. Check out this easy recipe of kumbalanga halwa that can make your diwali sweeter.

Ingredients
800 gm ash gourd/white pumpkin
1 cup sugar
2 tbsp ghee
¼ tsp saffron
¼ tsp cardamom powder
Fried cashews and raisins or finely chopped almonds and pistachios

Preparation
Peel the ash gourd and remove its seeds
Now shave into thin strips
Transfer the ash gourd shavings into a pan and heat it up on medium flame
Cook the ash gourd for at least half an hour 
Add the sugar after the water has been completely evaporated
Mix well until the sugar dissolves nicely
Add the saffron and mix well
When the mixture begins to thicken up, cook for 10 more minutes on a low flame
After that, add the ghee
Cook until the ghee separates from the sides of the pan
Sprinkle the cardamom powder and take it off the flame
Serve the ash gourd halwa after it has been cooled down.