Thursday, July 16, 2009

Banana Fudge ( Halwa)

Before I go on to today's post just a quick update. I have been on a photo updating spree and have updated a lot of my old posts with newer pictures. In case you want to take a quick peek, these are some of the posts that I have updated.....






Moving on....banana halwa is a quick and simple Indian sweet that is made with ripe/ overripe bananas. Halwa is a kind of a generic name given to Indian sweets made usually with sugar that has a consistency slightly softer than fudge but firmer than pudding. I have seen and tasted a variety of halwas made with grains like wheat, nuts like almond (I recently posted this one) or vegetables like carrot or fruits like banana.

Banana halwa is among the simplest of halwa's, it is quick and simple to make and other than the optional garnish requires only four ingredients with the main ones being bananas and sugar. This is also a quick and simple way to use up those ripe bananas sitting on your counter, especially for those that do not want to bake banana bread or do not have an oven. This quick stove top sweet does not fail to satisfy and if you like bananas this is one sweet you should not miss trying.


Banana halwa 2



Ingredients and Method to make Banana Halwa

2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 large bananas)
1/2 cup sugar (or less if you want it even milder)
1/4 tsp cardamom seed powder
4 tsp clarified butter (ghee)
Optional garnish
a few slivers of almonds

Mix mashed bananas, sugar and clarified butter in a wide heavy bottomed pan and place on medium to medium high heat.

Stir frequently while the mixture bubbles and goes from creamish color to nice golden to a deep golden color.

When the mixture begins to thicken and the edges start leaving the sides, add cardamom seed powder and mix well.

Allow to heat for a few more minutes. To know if done, pour a drop on a plate allow to cool and roll between fingers if it is fine then the halwa is done (while testing remember to lower the heat on the stove to low so that the rest of the mixture does not overcook )

Then remove from heat and pour into a plate/ tray. Cool thoroughly, roll into small marble sized or lime sized balls and garnish with a sliver of almond placed on top of each ball.

Store in an air tight container and keep in a cool place.

This sweet does not require refrigeration for about 3 to 4 days.

Yield will depend on the size of the balls.

Notes

With these proportions the sweet was mildly sweet not very, so you could increase or decrease the sugar depending on your taste

If you want to veganize this sweet you can easily use oil instead of clarified butter/ ghee (I used ghee just for the flavor)

This festive sweet is off to the DLC food festival Global Ganesha being hosted by DidoDivya

43 comments :

Pavithra Elangovan said...

Looks yummm..its a coincidence me too posted banana item...

Vani said...

So yum looking!! I've been tryng to update old posts with new pictures too :)

mona said...

Banana Halwa looks soo delicious!

Cilantro said...

Looks very delicious. I have`nt made halwa with Banana though because I never imagined it to get to this halwa consistency.Will try it soon.

miss v said...

i always have lots of bananas lying around from my green-smoothie making. this s something i would totally love!

Gita Jaishankar said...

wow...what an awesome sweet...looks so delicious Usha :)

Poornima Nair said...

that looks so yumm...its one of my dads favourites. We used to feast on the halwa available in the kerala bakeries.

Unknown said...

Looks delicious, i have bunch lying around even after making banana bread. Will try your recipe. I am sure it will taste good with jaggery also. Going to try tomm.

Unknown said...

Looks delicious, i have bunch lying around even after making banana bread. Will try your recipe. I am sure it will taste good with jaggery also. Going to try tomm.

Anonymous said...

Ho,halwa looks amazing and the picture too !! i am garbbing Usha from the screen..

Ivy said...

Halwa sounds delicious with bananas.

Priya Narasimhan said...

Halva looks so good..very new to me..I don't like banana but my family would love it.. :-)

Pam said...

I've never tried banana fudge but I am sure I would love it.

Suparna said...

hi usha,
I love bananas, anything made out of this is welcome treat for me :)
I love both the Mangalore style and Kerala style banana halwa ...mmmm so yummm
U pics are so awesome :)
Keep up the good work!!
TC

Valarmathi Sanjeev said...

wow yummy banana halwa. Looks so delicious.

chef and her kitchen said...

I was expecting a black color halwa...but loved the color of it..looks yummy

Anonymous said...

Usha this looks so perfect.. I have been craving sweets... So guess this will be an option! BTW, send your sweets etc., entries to the global ganesha food festival in my blog... cheers!

lubnakarim06 said...

Oh wow...that's a simple and yum halwa....looks yummy....

Kalaivani said...

Halwa looks so delicious.

Vikis Kitchen said...

Halwa looks gorgeous . I m drooling:)

Deepthi Shankar said...

wow, thatz a lovely recipe & nice pic

Anonymous said...

I am always in search of some new healthy sweets..and this looks divine! I love bananas and the thought of them with cardamom seems wonderful!thanx!Mia

LifenSpice said...

That looks yum! I usualy get these from India..Did not know they are so easy to make. Thanks for sharing Usha!

Indian Khana said...

Umm interesting halwa looks so yum

Laavanya said...

I make this very often with over-ripe bananas and is my daughter's favorite.

Archana said...

Looks nice...TH has a big sweet tooth, must try making this for him...

Unknown said...

wow.. looks deliciouis & yummy.. nice entry..

Kitchen Chronicles said...

Looks delicious and mouthwatering.

Parita said...

Very interesting dear, never made this before, sounds delicious!

Hari Chandana P said...

wow... halwa looks soo delicious.. lovely presentation.. :)

Vidya said...

Banana halwa looks very yummy. Reminds me of the pazham varatti that my mom makes. Checked out all the new pics. Loved them all.

Shri said...

Looks delicious.This halwa is so similar to the one we make with flour.

ST said...

I'm smacking my lips at the thought of eating this :)

Usha said...

Thanks all for visiting and your warm comments.

A2Z vegetarian, do let me know if you try it and especially if you try it with jaggery...I wanted to try that myself but did not do so this time !


Didodivya, thanks for letting me know about your event, I have already sent it there and updated my post :-)

Usha said...

Arch, do let me know if you try it !

Vidya, I would love to know more about the pazham varatti you are referring to..... I thought it reminded me a little of chakka pazham varatti,it has the same texture and feel to it.

Shri, I have never tried flour halwa sounds interesting !

Red Chillies said...

I love banana halwa and I made it too albeit few changes. The other day I tried to make this in the MW and it was a disaster.

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

wonderful click!! looks yummy.

Anonymous said...

thanks for the yummy entry to DLC food festival Usha!

Preeti Kashyap said...

Hi Usha,
The banana Halwa looks so tempting..yummm...and the color is so lovely and warm...i am drooling looking at the picture!...i am sure to try this this recipe this weekend!

Myvegfare said...

i don't know how i missed this post, looks i can just take a spoon and try it out, so good the photo is, and i have never tried anything like this, BM it!!

roma said...

I never knew its so simple to make banana halwa. I will surely try it out sometime.

SK said...

Hi Usha

This is the 1st time visiting ur blog and I was drooling over ur Banana Halwa. Looks so yummy. I made it right away and it is cooling down. Mine looks very glossy like yours but the texture is different. It is more like crumbling fudge instead of the usual stringy halwa type. Is that the way it supposed to be or I made any mistake???? I appreciate your reply. The taste is awesome. Thanks a lot for sharing this wonderful recipe with us. - SK

Usha said...

@ SK, I am guessing that if the halwa is crumbling then it is probably cooked too long. I suggest you take it off the heat just a tad bit earlier to get the right texture. Or do try the test by pouring a drop or two on a plate and allow to cool, roll between your fingers, if it holds its shape it is done :) Hope these ideas work out for the next time you try this sweet:)

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