Chickoo Halwa

Chickoo halwa is a delicious and decadent Indian dessert made from chickoo (also known as sapodilla) fruit pulp, sugar, and ghee (clarified butter).

Ingredients:

• 500 grams chickoo (sapodilla), ripe and peeled
• 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
• 4 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts for garnish (almonds, cashews, pistachios)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chickoo:

1. Wash the chickoos thoroughly under running water.
2. Peel the chickoos and remove any seeds.
3. Chop the chickoos into small pieces.

2. Cook the Chickoo:

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadhai over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped chickoos to the pan and sauté them for 5-7 minutes until they turn soft and pulpy.
3. Mash the chickoo pulp using the back of a spoon or a potato masher to make it smooth.

3. Make the Halwa:

1. Add sugar to the mashed chickoo pulp and mix well.
2. Continue to cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens. This may take about 10-15 minutes.
3. Add the remaining ghee to the pan and mix well. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly, until the halwa starts to leave the sides of the pan.
4. Add cardamom powder and mix well to incorporate it into the halwa.

4. Garnish and Serve:

1. Transfer the chickoo halwa to a serving dish.
2. Garnish with chopped nuts of your choice (almonds, cashews, pistachios).
3. Serve chickoo halwa warm or at room temperature as a delightful dessert.

Enjoy the rich and creamy texture and the natural sweetness of chickoo in this delectable halwa!