Carrot Halwa- a Winter Special

Carrot Halwa is a winter special dessert, and the best ones are made with fresh red carrots which come for a short duration during the winter months.

I was hoping for a White Christmas. I have never seen snowfall and the picture postcards we grew up seeing in fairytale books and films seemed like a beautiful, fantastic vision which I had never experienced in my life.

One of our earliest childhood trips was to Kashmir where I saw snow for the first time in my life. Gulmarg was different then and I doubt many people will be able to identify it from the faded old pics that my album has.

Sikkim Zero Point is another favorite memory of a journey that was very special- that vision of the pristine white frozen lake is deeply etched in my brain. I lost a friend this year who was a part of my journey to Sikkim. And another loved one who was a part of my journey to Kashmir.

I have seen snow but never seen snowfall. This is perhaps what I regret the most in a life filled with many false adventures and promises. I wish it could have been otherwise- be as it may, I did get to see many versions of it replicated in restaurants, theaters, malls and plays. Then I was told by many that snowfall is beautiful but dealing with the snow is a real pain.

Happy Tidings of another friend who recently got engaged helped me to smile through the tears instead.

Carrot Halwa takes time to cook

There is a recent film that I read about- titled Heretic which I find very intriguing in its discourse about the opposing forces of hope vs reality check. Perhaps I should catch it before it leaves the theaters.

I had hoped for a White Christmas, but the reality is that we have to work in our own little worlds driven by immediate concerns.

Where we may have the desire to paint pictures of beautiful warm homes with lots to eat, drink and take in the wonderful ambience of the decorations- somebody has to do the job.

I moved houses this year- again. I have moved so many times now- I forget the count. Some things were lost in transit and in translation. And some things I gained.

I gained a year of my blessed life.

I got to celebrate my birthday with a few friends- some old and some new ones who helped me to see this year through with no help from my husband and in laws. They now wish to cry further about injustices done to them.

Is life a chore for you? For some people it is. For others who enjoy the task- it may not be. And for yet others- they need to be paid to do the task and yet they sometimes ask- why?

Sometimes things burn

We do get 2 weeks’ notice from people who abandon suddenly as well. Then, what do you do? You step up and you fill in yourself. Or you let it be and wait for them to reflect and come back with a better solution. For yet others- they perhaps prefer a long walk to freedom instead.

Nobody likes to work- especially during the holiday season. And for people who love to work and hate being with noisy intrusive families, it may be a bonus (weird how it goes and yet wonderful perhaps).

So here goes my little piece in memory of many long walks taken to procure special grass-fed beef, red carrots and specialty cheese.

These were done with love and a lot of good wishes for people who sent me empty handed greeting cards later and then said Cheese please. It is how it is. We give to others with a free loving heart. Sometimes even a small gesture helps. Do pass it forward.

Carrot Halwa is a dessert with vegetables

Some memories and moments are priceless. And some people remain in the background of what you may deem as precious in your brain’s memory files. I have had fun this year trying new vegetables and learning from others.

I leave this as a special reminder of a milestone that I look forward to next year. It is my parents’ 75th Birthday. My father is no more but my mother is there. They shared the same birthday. And I tried to send a cake when I could. Sometimes I would send fruits instead, but some people didn’t like to eat fruits.

I hope to be with my mother and my brother. He fills in to take care of my mother. So, this one goes out with my heartfelt thanks for having seen through a year filled with many ups and downs (with a little help from others).

I hope to be there with them next year.

I leave behind a little recipe of carrot halwa- a winter specialty made with red carrots which come for a short duration of time. We used to love baking carrot cakes with mascarpone cream cheese icing and even tried making carrot halwa ice-cream.

I would get a childlike glee out of making weird ice-creams or drinks and asking people to guess the ingredients or the flavors.

But that’s another story for another day. I discovered later that it was too much for some people while others loved it to bits. I do want to try and replicate a few of the interesting new recipes I learn from my friends in Nigeria. But sometimes you need to taste them first to know the authentic flavours.

Carrot Halwa with just a touch of ghee

So, here’s my take on carrot halwa- again quite rich and often featured in weddings, birthdays, reunions and other celebratory feasts in many parts of North India and now perhaps across the world.

(Tip: A little goes a long way….)

A funny anecdote related to this carrot halwa which connects me to my younger university days. A friend who was from Chennai (metropolitan city in South of India) and not so familiar with Hindi then was introduced to it first as “gajar halwa“. And she looked innocently at others and remarked immediately-

“Oh is it gajar halwa? I thought this is carrot halwa”.

Many others tittered, and she was sporting as ever with the teasing. She went on to become a Cricket umpire later amongst other things and learnt to speak and abuse in Hindi fluently when she moved from the South to Gurgaon in North India.

I do admire her resilience, strength and adaptability. Her name incidentally is a mantra associated with Saraswati (Goddess of Learning).

Carrot Halwa Needs a lot of grating

I have personally faced the jibes and the teasing about my command over my native tongue which I struggled to learn coming from a different state of the country to another. And then about my accent in different languages in different parts of the world. In certain states of India- I don’t understand anything at all.

I have also been at the receiving end of much advice related to what is the appropriate form and manner of communication- sometimes I forget. But we are humans at the end of the day, and I share this recipe though I wonder if it’s of any use to many.

I have a feeling this will be perfect after some Salmon, Turkey or Jollof Rice for those who are looking to celebrate or simply have a good time with family and friends during these winter months. Some people may try it as a little something sweet after catching up with friends over a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate.

Others choose not to cook at all these days and each household has its own special way. But I am happy because I was able to share it. I received the feedback from others who grew up eating it. They said it was Yummy.

I repeat many times over and over; the secret ingredient is always love. If you love what you do with caring people, it makes even the most painful days better. And sometimes when you are down and out-you just need a little rest or a helping hand.