Dudhi Halwa/Bottle Gourd Dessert

I am a great fan of both Bottle Gourd and Ash Gourd desserts.  Luckily, I found Bottle Gourd at the Indian Store.  Here is the recipe for Dudhi Halwa.  For garnishing, you can even use pistachios or green grapes.

Ingredients:

Grated Bottle Gourd/Dudhi - about 2 cups 
Ghee/Clarified butter - 1 tbsp
Milk - about 1 cup

Cardamom - 2 pods

Cashews - 4

Almonds - 4

Sugar - 6 tsp

Method:

1. Soak almonds in water  for about 15 min so that the skin comes off easily.

2. Peel the bottle gourd skin, remove the seeds and grate it.  While grating, bottle gourd leaves some water. 

3. In a kadhai/ wok add grated bottle gourd with its water and about 1 tbsp ghee.  Mix well and cook it covered.  

4. When bottle gourd gets cooked or turns transparent, add milk and ground cardamom.

5. When milk starts boiling, add cashew and almond pieces.  Keep stirring.

6. Add sugar when milk is reduced in quantity.  Continue cooking till sugar dissolves and milk is totally evaporated.
7. Turn off the heat and Dudhi Halwa is ready to serve.