Halwa, for the unversed, is a household dessert dish in India. The preparation of flour mixed with sugar dates back to the Turks. In fact, the name is also a derivative of the Arabic hulw, referring to something sweet. The halwa was a creation in the court of Suleiman, the then emperor had a dedicated place in his royal kitchen called helvanhane. The halwa was a simple mixture of sesame seeds and honey in the Turkish land. However, when it was brought to India, the halwa started being made with all kinds of flour. Today, you have plethora of halwas, from wheat to sooji and moong dal. The dessert is also offered as prasad at places of worship. Here is a healthy halwa recipe made with lauki or bottle gourd. This halwa is cooked in ghee along with milk, sugar and cardamom powder. The halwa is garnished with pistachios and cashews for the crunch.
