Wintermelon Halwa / Ash Gourd Halwa / Damrot / Kumbalakayi Halwa / Kashi Halwa
Damrot is a very common delicacy in kannada madhwa brahmin homes esp. during marriages, bramhopadesha or special occasions. This also called as "Kashi halwa" in Karnataka. The taste lingers even after years. I remember eating Damrot at many such occasions and at home, my mother prepares this dish very often on special days and taught me this fantastic delicacy.
3 cups Grated wintermelon/ash gourd/white gourd (tightly packed shreds without its water)
1 3/4 cup Sugar
3/4 cup Milk powder
1 cup Almond flour
1/2 cup Ghee/clarified butter
1tbsp Milk
5 strands Saffron
1 tbsp Ghee/clarified butter to fry the mixed nuts
3 tbsp Mixed nuts of your choice (almonds, cashew, pistachios or walnuts)
1 tbsp Raisin (Optional)
1/2 tsp Ground cardamom, preferably freshly ground
Method
1. Peel the rind of the wintermelon [found in asian grocery store] and deseed, discard the skin and use the seeds (toast them in the oven and add seasonings of your choice for an evening snack) that has a lot of health benefits. Grate the melon [In case of large quantities you may use a blender to shred the melon] and squeeze out all the water. Use the excess water as a vegetable stock to prepare soups/stews.
2. In a thick bottomed pan heat 1/4 cup ghee and add grated melon and fry until all its moisture is lost for about 15 mins on the stove in medium heat setting.
3. Add the almond flour and fry for another 5 minutes. Now, add sugar in the pan and mix well. Stir continuously until the moisture from the sugar is evaporated.
4. Meanwhile, in a bowl warm the milk and add the saffron strands and mix well.
5. When the sugar is completely dissolved add saffron milk mixture to the pan and stir for a while, then add 1/4 cup ghee and stir for about 15-20 mins until the mixture starts leaving the sides of the pan and ghee separates out. Now the halva is cooked. Add 1/2 tsp ground cardamom and combine well. Remove pan from heat and transfer the contents into your favorite dish.
6. In another small pan heat 1 tbsp ghee, fry the mixed nuts of your choice until light golden brown/pink and lastly add raisins and fry for about 15-20 seconds and switch off the flame just before the raisins start to puff up. Taking care not to burn the almond and cashew.
7. Garnish the halva with the fried mixed nuts and raisins.
8. You may serve it hot/warm on a cold day. Also you may serve with whipped cream on top and enjoy the delicious wintermelon halwa cold or as desired.
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