Instant Pot Lauki Halwa

Bottle Gourd Halwa served in a bowl with pistachios and almonds on top

5 from 1 vote

Bottle Gourd Halwa or Lauki ka halwa is a rich Indian Dessert recipe made with fresh shredded bottle gourd, milk and sugar with generous amount of ghee in Instant pot Pressure cooker or stovetop.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Indian

Keyword bottle gourd recipes, instant pot lauki halwa, lauki ka halwa

Diet Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

Method Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker, Stovetop

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings

Calories 212kcal

Author Bhavana Patil

Equipment

Ingredients

Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml

2 tablespoons ghee or coconut oil
2 cups lauki (bottle gourd) peeled and shredded
½ cup full fat milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
¼ cup sugar or stevia (adjust as per your taste)
¼ cup almond flour (or khova/khoya)
⅛ teaspoons cardamom powder
2-3 tablespoons sliced almonds or pistachios
1-2 drops green food color optional

Instructions

Peel the skin ,remove the seeds if any and grate lauki using medium sized blade.

Instant Pot Method:

Clean the Instant pot thoroughly – the steel pot, lid and sealing ring. If you have an extra sealing ring for sweet foods, use it else milk may curdle.
Press SAUTE button. Add ghee into the pot ,once hot add the grated lauki and saute for 2-3 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
Add milk and mix well.
Close the lid on the pot.Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set timer to 2 minutes.
Once the pot beeps,Allow 5 minutes natural pressure release ,then do a QUICK RELEASE.Open the lid and Turn the pot to SAUTE(HIGH) again.
Then add sugar, almond flour/meal or khoya and cook until all the milk has been reduced(evaporated).It appx takes another 5-6 minutes.
Note:I have added a drop of organic plant based green food color but its totally optional.
Lastly add cardamom powder and nuts. Mix well. Press Cancel. Bottle Gourd Halwa will thicken as it cools down.

Stovetop Pot Method:

In a heavy bottom pan add ghee into the pot ,once hot add shredded lauki/bottle gourd and saute them in the ghee for about 2-3 minutes.
Next add milk .Give a quick stir.
Cook on medium low flame for about 10 minutes till milk thickens or till the gourd is fully cooked, stir occasionally.
Add sugar, almond flour to this mixture, and cook on medium flame for another 2-3 minutes or until it thickens a bit.
Lastly add cardamom powder and nuts.Mix well.Turn off the gas.Bottle Gourd Halwa is Ready.Serve hot or chilled.

Notes

I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT.

Variations & Tips:

If you dont have cardamom ,replace with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
To make the halwa more rich you can add condensed milk after the pressure cooking and adjust sugar quantity accordingly.
You can also add khoya or dry milk powder instead of almond flour/meal to thicken and enhance the flavor of the kheer.
I have added 1-2 drops of organic plant based green food color ,but feel free to skip it.
Sanitize the Instant Pot steel insert ,lid and sealing ring before making sweet to avoid curdling of milk.I always keep an extra sealing ring for sweets separately.

Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Nutrition