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Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Chayote Sweet/Halwa

Since chayotes are available in our markets the whole year through I felt I should explore more ways of including it in our diet. Having prepared Chayote Thoran I was keen to try a dessert version of this fruit. Halwa refers to many types of dense, sweet confections, across the Middle East, Central Asia, South Asia, the Balkans, and the Jewish world. In case you are still unfamiliar with chayote and its nutritional benefits click here.
Needless to add, my attempt was quite a hit at home and I was quite happy with the outcome.
Have you tried preparing Halwa? What is your favourite halwa? Do share.

Ingredients-
2 chayotes grated
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 1/4 cups milk
4 cardamoms
2tsps ghee/clarified butter
2tsps evaporated milk/khoya
Crushed cashews/almonds
raisins

Preparation-
  • Wash and grate the chayotes. Peel and crush the cardamom seeds in a pestle.
  • In a heavy bottomed pan heat 1tsp ghee, add grated chayote and cook for 5 mins.
  • Add milk, sugar (please adjust according to your levels of sweetness) and khoya. Stir and cook for around 10 minutes.
  • Sprinkle cardamom powder, raisins, and crushed nuts. Make sure the milk has evaporated.
  • Serve warm or chilled. Enjoy anyways!
You can also check out Semolina/Suji Halwa
at

12 comments:

  1. Whats Cookin Italian Style CuisineDecember 1, 2009 at 5:38 PM

    looks good!

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  2. Divina PeDecember 1, 2009 at 6:10 PM

    I haven't tried chayote as a sweet. This is something new to me. This is a new recipe added to my list to make.

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  3. Robin, David, Simon and LeoDecember 1, 2009 at 8:29 PM

    My father is a huge halava (that's what we always called it) fan, but I never acquired a taste. I have wanted to make my own to see if it would change my opinion, but have never gotten around to it. Your recipe looks intriguing, and a great way to give it a try. Thanks!

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  4. MaryMohDecember 2, 2009 at 1:41 AM

    I haven't heard of this but looking at the ingredients, I would think it is delicious.

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  5. penny aka jeroxieDecember 2, 2009 at 2:10 AM

    What is chayote? I know of halwa. I guess I need to go and find out. always love a good dessert

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  6. LisaDecember 2, 2009 at 7:13 AM

    This looks delicious!

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  7. anuDecember 2, 2009 at 4:02 PM

    IS chayote ->chow-chow??? will try this one

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  8. ShirleyDecember 2, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    Yes Anu, chayote is also called chow chow. You will find a picture of it in Chayote Thoran recipe to clarify your doubts.

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  9. My Little SpaceDecember 2, 2009 at 5:43 PM

    Ooo... another lovely sweet recipe! Thanks. Btw, I've an award for you. Plese feel free to stop by my site and collect the batch. And don't forget to leave down your link. Cheers.

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  10. geri lizDecember 4, 2009 at 10:14 AM

    Great!did not know that halva could be prepared form chayote

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  11. Sokehah cheahDecember 6, 2009 at 10:42 PM

    I've never heard of chayote nor seen it before, but from the picture, the dessert looks healthy and nutritious.

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  12. CheahDecember 6, 2009 at 10:48 PM

    I've just checked on chayote, it's what we call 'Buddha's Hand'. Lately, my regular Rojak seller is using this as part of his rojak ingredients, i.e. a spicy, nutty sauce as a dip for fresh fruits, like pineapple, mango, cucumber.

    ReplyDelete