Safed Gajar Ka Halwa: The Irresistible Charm Of White Carrot Dessert In The Winter Season

During the winter season, several desserts are enjoyed and are highly popular wintertime specials. Lal gajar ka halwa is undoubtedly the quintessential winter dessert from India, along with chikki, panjiri, gajak, and more. But did you know about lal gajar ka halwa's (red carrot pudding's) cousin?

The safed gajar ka halwa or white carrot halwa is equally incredible and boasts a following of dessert enthusiasts of its own. It is equally delicious as the famous lal gajar ka halwa, which uses red or orange carrots, and the white version is also a traditional dessert.

So, this winter season, don't give all your attention to red carrot halwa and try this delicious safed gajar ka halwa, you will be delighted by its wonderful blend of flavors and textures. Keep reading to learn more about this wonderful delicacy.

What Is Safed Gajar Ka Halwa?

This handcrafted dessert is thought to have originated in the 13th century in the Middle East in the book Arabic Kitab al-Tabikh (The Book of Dishes), where Muammad ibn al-asan Ibn al-Karm cites a few variations of halwa recipes. The term "Hulw" means "sweet" in Hindi. Legend has it that the process of making halwa dates back to the Ottoman Empire.

This so-called winter national food of the country, halwa, has traveled quite a distance and is known by several names, such as Halava in Sanskrit, Halawa in Egypt, Makedonikos Halvas in Greece, and so on.

Do you know that the old, very congested by-lanes in old Dilli or Delhi are famed for Safed Gajar ka halwa? Yes, you read that right. Among all the halwa that you see on the streets of Delhi, this one is enjoyed the most during winter season.

A very old business in the Chitli Qabar area, near Jama Masjid, is famed for offering Safed Gajar ka halwa. Every winter, the nearly seventy-year-old businesswoman Sheeren Bhawan prepares and sells this delicacy.

This halwa is only available in the winter and is less sweet. Once peeled, the carrots are chopped and soaked in water until mushy, then placed in a kadai with ghee and khoya and cooked on low heat.

To understand what exactly is safed gajar, we must first understand that the red carrot did not exist until a few centuries ago. White carrots have less pigment and are poor in carotenoid concentration. White carrots are extremely beneficial to one's health. The

distinction between safed gajar halwa and regular red halwa is not just in color. The texture of the white halwa differs because the red carrot is softer, so when grated and mixed with the milk and khoya, it melts in the mouth.

This halwa, laden with dry fruits, is a melt-in-your-mouth pleasure. This flavor-packed type is exceptionally smooth and silky, and you can only find it at Sheeren Bhawan. This winter delicacy, made with pure ghee, is a wonderful show-stopper. The owners of Sheeren Bhawan, which is open until February, are happy to say that they cook all of the halwa using traditional procedures given by the hakims.

Safed Gajar Ka Halwa Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups grated white carrots
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 cup of condensed milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3-4 tablespoons ghee
• 1/2 cup khoya
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• Chopped almonds, cashews, and pistachios for garnish

Method:

• In a skillet, melt ghee and sauté grated white carrots till tender.
• Combine the carrots with the milk and condensed milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Once the mixture thickens, add the sugar and continue cooking until the carrots are fully cooked and the mixture has the consistency of halwa.
• Stir in the khoya and cardamom powder until fully combined. Cook for a few minutes longer, or until the halwa achieves the desired consistency.
• Lightly toast the chopped nuts in ghee in a separate small skillet until golden brown.
• Sprinkle the roasted nuts on top of the Safed Gajar ka Halwa.
• Enjoy the wonderful white carrot halwa while it's still warm.

Notes

• You can adjust the amount of sugar to your taste. Feel free to play around with the garnishes and add a pinch of saffron for added taste and scent.
• Gajar ka halwa should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Avoid opening the box repeatedly; instead, just open it when you need to eat the halwa. Not even by accident, i.e., never leave the box of gajar halwa outside the fridge since it will spoil. Gajar ka halwa can be refrigerated for up to a week.
• Do you include dry fruits in making gajar ka halwa? The fresh halwa tempts us to consume it, but after two days, its flavor changes. As a result, if you enjoy dry fruits in your gajar halwa, add them while eating or serving