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–+ servings

Lauki Ka Halwa (Bottle gourd Halwa) - Instant Pot, Pressure Cooker

Jyoti Behrani
Lauki Ka Halwa is a popular North Indian dessert made with bottle gourd or also known as doodhi. Perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess in a bowl, flavored with aromatic saffron and cardamon powder.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Indian
Servings 8
Calories 154 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups firmly packed medium grated lauki bottle gourd
  • 1 tablespoon ghee
  • 1 cup full fat milk
  • 2 tablespoon warm full fat milk
  • 15-20 saffron strands
  • ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
  • ½ - ¾ can (14 oz) condensed milk or to taste
  • 1 cup full fat milk powder
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup almond flour

For garnish:

  • 10 - 12 silvered almonds add more if desired

Instructions
 

How to make Lauki Halwa in Instant Pot

  • Soak saffron strands in 2 tablespoon of warm milk, keep it aside.
  • Turn on Instant Pot to saute mode (high).
  • When it displays "HOT", add 1 tablespoon of ghee, grated lauki.
  • Saute for 3-5 min, sauteing occasionally. Add cup of milk. Mix well. Turn off Instant Pot.
  • Turn on Manual/Pressure cook mode (high), 5 mins, vent sealed. When Instant Pot beeps, quickly release pressure. Open the IP lid.
  • Turn on saute mode (high), add cream, milk powder, condensed milk, saffron soaked in milk, cardamom powder, almond flour. Mix well.
  • Saute on high until all the moisture is evaporated, around 5-7 mins.
  • Switch off Instant Pot.
  • Lauki Ka Halwa is ready to be served. Garnish with some silvered almonds. Enjoy!!

Notes

  1. Grate the lauki to a medium thickness, if grated too thin the halwa will turn mushy and if grated too thick halwa will have big pieces.
  2. Adjust the sweetness as per taste.
  3. Almond flour is optional, you can substitute crushed almonds instead or make it nut-free. Nuts of choice such as cashews, raisins may also be added.
  4. Halwa stays good for a week in a refrigerator and upto a month in a freezer.
  5. Cardamom powder and saffron gives lauki ka halwa a nice aroma.
  6. For stove top cooking, follow the same instructions as discussed in the recipe. Add milk, bring the mixture to a boil, reduce and cook until all the moisture has evaporated, around 10-15 mins, stirring occasionally to prevent any sticking to the bottom. Rest of the steps remain the same as Instant Pot. Note: Use a dutch oven or heavy bottom pot for cooking halwa on a stove top. Helps prevent sticking of halwa at the bottom. 
  7. Instead of condensed milk, you can also use sugar, condensed milk gives halwa a nice rich taste. You may also substitute khoya to enhance the flavor.
  8. Few drops of green food color may be added to get the green color halwa.
  9. For Vegan / dairy free options please refer to - How to make Lauki Ka Halwa vegan/dairy-free? discussed earlier in the post.
  10. For nut-free options please refer to - How to make Lauki Ka Halwa nut-free? discussed earlier in the post.
  11. For refined sugar-free options please refer to - How to make Lauki Ka Halwa sugar-free? discussed earlier in the post.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Lauki Ka Halwa (Bottle gourd Halwa) - Instant Pot, Pressure Cooker
Amount per Serving
Calories
154
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
12
g
18
%
Saturated Fat
 
6
g
38
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Cholesterol
 
28
mg
9
%
Sodium
 
101
mg
4
%
Potassium
 
492
mg
14
%
Carbohydrates
 
13
g
4
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
12
g
13
%
Protein
 
9
g
18
%
Vitamin A
 
719
IU
14
%
Vitamin C
 
12
mg
15
%
Calcium
 
262
mg
26
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer

Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

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KEYWORD

lauki halwa