Carrot Halva is both tasty and healthy and keeps the mind calm. It can be used at any season and is especially good for semi-fasting days. It may be consumed by all constitutions, twice a week as part of a full meal. Three – four teaspoons of Carrot Halva is the recommended amount in one serving.
For those recovering from a cough, it is better to consume at the first meal rather than in the evening.
This dish is best prepared with sugar, jaggery will affect the taste and consistency.
As per Indian tradition, it is recommended to start and finish the meal with a sweet. It opens up the digestive tract and facilitates digestion and the sweet taste is associated with the bliss experience.
Carrot Halva
4 small servings
Preparation time: 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
1 cup/140g tightly packed finely grated carrot
¼ cup/60ml ghee
½ cup/100g light brown sugar
¼ cup/20g finely shredded dried coconut
2 pinches fine rock salt
Voggarane:
2 Tblsp ghee
10 – 15 cashew nuts
10 – 15 almonds
¼ cup/40g raisins
6 – 8 pods of cardamom
Preparation:
Wash, peel and grate the carrot using the finer side of a box grater (this dish is best when the carrot is finely grated). Cut the cashews in two and the almonds into thirds. Remove the hard shell from the cardamom and grind the small black seeds into powder in a mortar and pestle. Measure out the remaining ingredients and set aside.
To prepare the carrot halva:
Over a medium-high heat, add ¼ cup ghee into a medium-sized skillet, add the grated carrot, sugar, dried coconut and salt.
Stir continuously for approximately 8 – 10 minutes until all the liquid from the carrots has evaporated. Turn off the heat, set aside and prepare the voggarane.
Voggarane:
In a small pan over medium heat, pour in 2 Tablespoons ghee, add the cashew and almond pieces, fry stirring constantly until they are golden-brown in colour – approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the raisins, fry for 1 -2 minutes or until they puff up and swell slightly,
Add the voggarane to the sweet carrot-mixture. Sprinkle in the ground cardamom, mixing well.
“Carrot Halva is very simple, very easily made and the best. It goes very well with idli, dosa, chapati, Pongal, upma, it goes well with all items!”. ~ Ganapati Āarya
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