Papaya Halwa

Ingredients

• 1 medium semi ripe papaya, approx 4.5 cups of chopped papaya or 3.5 to 4 cups of grated papaya
• 2 to 3 tbsp oil or ghee
• 4-5 tbsp sugar - or as required as per the sweetness of the papaya
• 2-3 cardamom, powdered or ½ tsp cardamom powder
• 2 tbsp almond powder or milk powder or coconut powder or evaporated milk/khoya ( i used 15 almonds and ground them to get approx 2 tbsp of almond powder)
• 12-15 halved cashews or as required

Instructions

1. rinse the papaya and slice them.
2. remove the seeds and the pith from the top. peel the slices.
3. then chop the papaya slices, finely.
4. heat oil or ghee in a kadai or pan. add the papaya.
5. stir and cook on a low flame for about 14-15 minutes.
6. keep on stirring on occasions while cooking the papaya.
7. the fruit will release it juices, change color and loose its opacity.
8. add sugar and then stir. continue to cook for further 18-20 minutes on a low flame.
9. by now the oil will begin to separate.
10. add ground almonds and stir.
11. cook for 5-6 minutes more till the whole halwa has gotten together and become one whole.
12. add cashews and cook for 1-2 minutes more.
13. serve papaya halwa hot or warm. you can also refrigerated and serve the halwa as a cold dessert.