GaneshChaturthi

Gajar Halwa or Carrot Halwa Recipe

Gajar halwa holds special memories for many.
There are some Indian sweets and desserts that have been successfully veganized and we shall be posting them one by one. This gajar ka halwa is one of the successfully veganized indian sweets.
What comes to rescue in making Indian sweets, is almond milk and paste whilst replacing milk and evaporated/khoya in Indian sweets respectively.
The method of making this gajar halwa is exactly the way one makes halwa with milk…. be it lauki ka halwa, beetroot halwa or gajar halwa.

Its the same cooking technique to make carrot halwa recipe:

So if you are a vegan use almond milk and neutral flavored vegetable oil to make carrot halwa. if you are a vegetarian use regular dairy milk and ghee to make carrot halwa.

The proportion of sugar and oil/ghee can always be adjusted in any halwa. so if you like a more sweeter version, add more sugar and if you like a little more grease, then add some more oil or ghee.

This vegan gajar halwa made in almond milk tastes very much similar to the regular gajar halwa.
Steps to make Gajar Halwa:
• First is the tedious job of grating carrots. use a food processor for quick results. Grate carrots for gajar halwa recipe
• Mix the almond milk (or regular dairy milk) and carrots together in a pan or kadai/wok.
• Put the pan on fire and bring the whole carrot – almond mixture to a gentle boil on a low or medium flame. better to cook on a low or medium flame as slow cooking gives a better taste and the mixture does not have less chances to stick to the pan. use a heavy based non reactive pan or a non stick pan or wok to make the halwa.
• Then simmer and let the carrots-milk mixture cook further. this whole process of cooking the carrots in the milk, takes about 35-45 minutes or more on a low flame. after 12 minutes this is how the mixture appears.
• Once the carrots are half cooked ie. after overall after 18 minutes add the cardamom powder & stir.
• Continue to stir in between. after 3-4 minutes, add the oil/ghee and sugar.
• Stir and let the mixture thicken. continue to cook. after 5 minute.
• When the liquids in the mixture has almost dried, add raisins, cashews, saffron and almond paste
• Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes till the moisture dries up. serve the carrot halwa hot or warm. you can have carrot halwa cold too. if stored in a refrigerator then carrot halwa stays good for 3-4 days
Prep Time
15 mins

Cook Time
40 mins

Total time
55 mins
Carrot halwa - a classic Indian dessert made with grated carrots and milk.

Author: GaneshChaturthi.com
Recipe type: Desserts
Cuisine: Indian
Serves: 4 medium dessert bowls
Ingredients
• 2 and ½ cups grated organic carrots or gajar

• 2 and ½ cups almond milk or regular dairy milk

• 8 tbsp organic unrefined cane sugar or regular sugar ( add more or less as required)

• ¼ or ⅓ cup almond paste or evaporated milk/khoya (optional)

• 5-6 cardamom, powdered or crushed

• 8-10 unsalted whole or chopped cashews

• 7-8 unsalted pistachois - sliced or chopped

• 12-15 golden raisins

• a pinch of saffron (optional)

• 2 or 2/12 tbsp neutral flavored oil (sunflower oil) or ghee
Instructions
• wash, peel and grate the carrots (gajar).

• mix the almond milk or regular dairy milk and grated carrot together in a pan.

• keep on fire and allow the mixture to simmer.

• continue to simmer and cook stirring in between.

• after 15-20 minutes add cardamom powder and stir.

• when the mixture has started thickening, add sugar & oil/ghee.

• stir and continue to cook.

• when the mixture has almost dried, add the almond paste and dry fruits.

• stir and cook further for 2-3 minutes.

• serve carrot halwa hot or warm.

• the carrot halwa can be also refrigerated and served cold.

• carrot halwa stays good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Nutrition Information
• Serving size: 4


If you need any additional information, please don't hesitate to write to me at harsh@ganeshchaturthi.com