SHAKKARKAND HALWA/ SWEET POTATO HALWA RECIPE

It’s festive season in India. And Sweets form an integral part of Indian cuisine!

Shakkarkand or Sweet Potato is a starchy root vegetable which is sweet in taste. While most of us believe that it is a type of potato, I must tell you it is not. It belongs to the morning glory family while the potatoes belong to the nightshade family.

There are varieties of Sweet Potatoes available- White, red, yellow, purple or orange. The orange colored sweet potato is rich in Vitamin A whereas the purple one has anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. The raw sweet potatoes are rich in carbohydrates and dietary fibers. Steaming/ boiling/ baking increases the nutritional values of sweet potatoes.

The sweet potato halwa or Shakkarkand halwa/ Shakkarkand kheer can be eaten during fasting and thus is a good source of energy. It tastes best if consumed within 2-3 days. Store in the fridge and when you use it next heat it with a cup of milk.

Make this delectable halwa and let me know how you like it!

Ingredients: (Serves 4)

For Cooking

1. Medium sized Sweet Potatoes- 4
2. Ghee- 2 table spoon
3. Milk- 2 Glasses (Around 350 ml)
4. Cardamom Powder- ½ tea spoon
5. Sugar- 3 tea spoons

For Garnishing

1. Sliced Almonds
2. Crushed Pistachios
3. Coconut Flakes (Fresh or Dry)

Recipe:

1. Wash the sweet potatoes thoroughly under running water.

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2. Take a pressure cooker and add some water so that the sweet potatoes gets immersed. You can cut them into two if they are bigger in size. This way the boiling will take less time. Close the lid of the pressure cooker and let it boil on high heat upto 1 whistle. Now lower the flame and let it boil for 5 minutes.

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3. Once the sweet potatoes are boiled. Let them cool and now take the skin off.

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4. With the help of a masher, mash the sweet potatoes.

5. In a thick bottomed pan/ wok add some ghee and let it warm.

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6. Add the mashed sweet potatoes into the wok and stir for 5 minutes. Keep the flame medium high.

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7. Add milk and stir continuously. You may use a wire whisk so that lumps do not get formed.

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8. When the milk starts reducing, add sugar and cardamom powder. You may add more milk for a Kheer like flowing consistency.

9. Garnish it with almonds, pistachios and coconut flakes.

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10. Serve with Love!