I have prepared this dish in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT. This Pumpkin halwa is very light and delicious. You can make it richer by adding ¼ cup of khoya/mava or almond flour. Pumpkins are naturally sweet, so adjust the sugar accordingly. I have used kabocha squash for this recipe. You can also use yellow or golden pumpkin which is readily available in Indian grocery stores all around the year. I highly recommend not using jack-o’-lantern pumpkins used for carving during Halloween decorations to make this halwa. They are not ideal for cooking, are more watery, and are less tasty. However, you can use sugar or pie pumpkins which are smaller in size.
How to Make Pumpkin Halwa Recipe in Instant Pot
Firstly, 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. Peel the pumpkin skin and dice it into 1-inch pieces. Press SAUTE button on Instant Pot. Add ghee to the pot. Once hot, add the diced pumpkin, and saute for 2-3 minutes until the raw smell disappears. Then add milk and mix well. Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and set the timer to 5 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. Mash the pumpkin using a potato masher or fork. Then add sugar, and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring continuously. Add remaining ghee, cardamom powder. Stir continuously for another 2-3 minutes till the halwa thickens. Press Cancel. Yellow Pumpkin Halwa will thicken as it cools down. Lastly, serve pumpkin pudding warm or at room temperature and garnish with slivered pistachios and almonds.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method
Follow the process mentioned above for the stovetop pressure cooker. Give 2 whistles to cook pumpkin in milk and let the pressure release naturally. All the other steps remain the same.
Stovetop Pot Method
Follow the process mentioned above. Cover pot with a lid and cook till pumpkin pieces have softened completely on medium-low flame. Takes about 10-15 minutes. Do stir once or twice in between. All the other steps remain the same.
Variations & Tips
If you dont have cardamom, replace it with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. To make the halwa richer, you can add condensed milk after the pressure cooking and adjust the sugar quantity accordingly. You can also add khoya or almond flour to thicken and enhance the flavor of this kaddu ka halwa recipe. You can also use grated pumpkins instead of diced pumpkins if you wish. Sanitize the Instant Pot steel insert, lid, and sealing ring before making sweet to avoid milk curdling. I always keep an extra sealing ring for sweets separately.
More Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin Curry Thai pumpkin Soup Pumpkin Sambar Pumpkin Raita
More Dessert Recipes
Milk Powder Burfi Carrot Halwa Instant Pot Rice Kheer Badam Halwa using Almond Flour Moong Dal Payasam
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