Chickoo Halwa

Chickoo halwa is one of the mouth-watering sweet dishes prepared from sapodilla/sapota (in India) fruit. This sweet recipe can be served as a snack or as after meal dessert. Chickoo halwa is one of the popular desserts which are served during festive season or on any special occasions and this is one of the Diwali Sweets

Ingredients:

Chikoo fruits- 6

Milk – 1/2 tea cup

Sugar – 1/4 cup

Khoya – 150 gms.

Cochineal (essence) – 2-3 drops

Ghee – 1 tbsp

Almond or walnut ( for garnishing)

Method:

• Peel the chickoos, blend it to fine paste.
• Boil the milk in a heavy saucepan.
• When the milk turns slightly thick, add khoya and cook, stirring in a uniform way.
• After some time add little ghee and sugar. Cook on low  flame stirring continuously till ghee oozes out.
• Chickoo halwa is ready. Serve hot, garnishing with almond or walnut

Nutritional facts:

• Sapodilla is rich in dietary fiber
• It contains good amounts of antioxidant vitamins like vitamin A, C and antioxidants.
• Sapota has antibacterial, antiviral and anti-parasitic effects
• Fresh ripen sapodilla are good source of minerals like copper, potassium, iron, pantothenic acid and vitamins like niacin, folate which are essential for optimal health.
• Milk is rich in calcium, which is an essential element for growth and proper development of strong bone structure
• Milk is an excellent source for dental health, as it protects the enamel surface against acidic substances
• Ghee is considered to stimulate the secretion of stomach acids which help in digestion
• Ghee is also said to memory retention power