Pumpkin Kheer -Fall Dessert

Fall is here and with it comes the pumpkin tales in every part of your grocery store. Pumpkins are a little more than Halloween decoration or Thanks giving pie filling.

Pumpkin is a rich source of Betacarotene and Consuming foods rich in beta-carotene may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer, offer protection against asthma and heart disease and delay aging and body degeneration. Pumpkins are also a rich source of fibers.

Here is a yummy pumpkin dessert which is tasty and nutritious.

Pumpkin Kheer -

• Ingredients-

• Pumpkin - ½ cup chopped

• Boiled Milk - ¾ cup

• Almonds - 4 (optional)

• Ghee - 1 tbsp

• Sugar - 2 tbsp

• Cardamom powder - ¼ tsp

• Chopped nuts - 1 tsp (optional for garnishing)

• Water - as needed

Method of preparation-

Wash pumpkin in running water well. Then peel the skin off from the pumpkin with a peeler and remove the seeds. Then chop them into equal size small cubes. Steam the chopped pumpkin pieces in a steamer for 15 minutes. In the mean time soak the almonds in ¼ cup of warm milk. Once the pumpkins are steamed, it will be soft and transparent. Now blend it with soaked almonds along with the milk to a smooth paste in a blender.Heat ghee in a pan, add pureed pumpkin. Boil it in low flame for 3 minutes.Then add the remaining ½ cup of milk, sugar and cardamom powder. Mix well. Cook for 5-7 minutes.Simmer and boil it until the milk absorbs the pumpkin & keep stirring until the kheer becomes thick. Switch off the flame once the kheer consistency is reached. Top with chopped nuts and serve.

This yummy dessert is nutritious and can be given even to babies 1+ years. Milk can be substituted with Almond or Soy milk as well.