Lauki Barfi & Ladoo

Lauki (Dudhi / Ghiya /Bottle gourd) halwa or barfi is a different & a very delicious dessert. The more popular use of Lauki is as a vegetable – whether in a curry or when added to dal. Here I am giving out a simple recipe WITHOUT GHEE.

Ingredients
2 cups grated lauki
1/2 cup sugar (adjust according to taste)
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
4 tbsp milk
Few roasted cashew nuts
1 tbsp desiccated coconut powder
1/2 tsp ghee (to grease)

Method
Grease a dish with ghee & keep aside.
Peel & grate lauki.
Pressure cook lauki, milk & sugar for 3 whistles.
Open & dry on slow flame, stirring in between.
When almost dry, add cardamom powder & mix.
Pour in greased dish, sprinkle coconut powder & garnish with cashews.
Cool & refrigerate for an hour.
Cut pieces & enjoy :)

Tips
Use fresh lauki as far as possible.
After grating don't wait as the lauki will start turning black.
You can mix 1 or 2 drops of green color along with cardamom, but personally I avoid adding colour.
You can either set it as barfi or just eat as halwa.
You can add ghee in this while cooking but I made it without ghee & I can assure you that you won't miss that in it :)