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:

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

2. Cook the Chickoo:

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

3. Make the Halwa:

   • Add sugar to the mashed chickoo pulp and mix well.
   • 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.
   • 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.
   • Add cardamom powder and mix well to incorporate it into the halwa.

4. Garnish and Serve:

   • Transfer the chickoo halwa to a serving dish.
   • Garnish with chopped nuts of your choice (almonds, cashews, pistachios).
   • 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!