Pumpkin lotus seed pradhaman

Check out the interesting recipe of pumpkin and lotus seed payasam (dessert) that is healthy and tasty.

Ingredients
750 gms pumpkin
½ cup lotus seed (powdered)
350 ml jaggery syrup
Milk from 1 ½ coconuts (first, second and third extracts)
2 tsp sugar
A pinch of salt
1 tsp dried ginger powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp cardamom powder
3 tsp ghee

Preparation
In an uruli or a thick bottomed vessel cook the pumpkin in third extract of coconut milk and some sugar
After the cooked pumpkin has cooled down, blend it in mixer jar
Heat ghee and add the lotus seed powder
When it starts to change color, add the pumpkin puree
Mix well
Now add the jaggery syrup
Mix and cook well
Pour the third and second extracts of coconut milk
Cook until the mixture thickens up
Into it add the dried ginger powder, cumin powder and cardamom powder
Add a small piece of plantain leaf now into the payasam; remove this after the dish is ready
Give it a taste and add more sugar if required at this stage
Take the payasam off the flame
Finally, add the first extract of coconut milk
Mix well
Heat ghee in a pan
Fry coconut shards and cashews
Add these into the payasam
Mix well
Keep the payasam aside for a while before serving
Note: Lower the flame when the pumpkin puree begins to thicken up. The plantain leaf is added for aroma and a unique flavour.