Hi friends! Carrots the world’s healthiest food ! Carrots are perhaps best known for their rich supply of the antioxidant nutrient that was actually named for them: beta-carotene. However, these delicious root vegetables are the source not only of beta-carotene, but also of a wide variety of antioxidants and other health-supporting nutrients.Carrot pudding / Gajjar ka halwa is a delicious, halwa /pudding rich with nuts and dried fruits is very popular all over the world. It is winter season dessert in India.
Ingredients:
- 1 kg carrots, fresh and grated
- 1 liter milk full cream
- 1 tin (400 gms ) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup sugar or as per taste
- 1/2 cup ghee
- 100 gms khoya /dry thickened milk
- 1/4 cup almonds, soaked over night and slivered
- 2 tbsp kuskhus / Poppy seeds
- 12 Green cardamoms, powdered
Method:
Step 1.
Wash the carrots very well, peel and grate and keep aside., soak the Khaskhas / poppy seeds in one cup water for an hour or so.
Step 2.
In a deep heavy bottom pan take carrots, milk and cook on a high flame till milk starts to boil. reduce to medium flame till all the milk thickens and reduces and blends with carrots. Add sugar and mix well.
Step 3.
Add khaskhas / poppy seeds and ghee to the carrot-milk mix and fry on slow / medium flame till the carrots are well fried and turn darker in color, add cardamom powder, mix well.
Step 4.
Add the slivered dry fruit, mix well and turn off the stove. Serve hot in bowls garnished with grated khoya.
Possible health benefits of Carrots:
Prevention of Heart Disease: High cholesterol is a major factor for heart disease. Since regular consumption of carrots reduces cholesterol levels, it is a good idea to consume a healthy dose of carrots, in order to prevent heart-related problems.
Blood Pressure: Carrots are rich sources of potassium, which is a vasodilator and can relax the tension in your blood vessels and arteries, thereby increasing blood flow and circulation, boosting organ function throughout the body and reducing the stress on the cardiovascular system.
Immune Booster: Carrots contain a number of antiseptic and antibacterial abilities that make it ideal for boosting the immune system. Not only that, carrots are a rich source of vitamin C, which stimulates the activity of white blood cells and is one of the most important elements in the human immune system.
Digestion: Carrots, like most vegetables, have significant amounts of dietary fiber in those orange roots, and fiber is one of the most important elements in maintaining good digestive health.
Prevents Cancer: Beta-carotene consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of several cancers, notably lung cancer.
Improves Eyesight: Deficiency of vitamin A can cause some difficulty seeing in dim light. Since carrots are rich in vitamin A, it is good for improving eyesight and preventing conditions like night blindness from developing as we age.
Oral Health: The organic compounds in carrots all by themselves are good for mineral antioxidants, but carrots also stimulate the gums and induce excess saliva. Saliva is an alkaline substance and combats the bacteria and foreign bodies that can often result in cavities, halitosis, and other oral health risks.
Stroke: Eating a carrot every day reduces the risk of stroke by 68%. Many studies have strengthened the belief in the “carrot effect” on the brain. Studies conducted on stroke patients revealed that those with highest levels of beta-carotene had the highest survival rate.
Diabetes: Carrots are good for blood sugar regulation due to the presence of carotenoids in this delicious vegetable. Carotenoids inversely affect insulin resistance and thus lower blood sugar, thereby helping diabetic patients live a normal, healthy life. They also regulate the amount of insulin and glucose that is being used and metabolized by the body, providing a more even and healthy fluctuation for diabetic patients.
Ref. https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/carrots.html
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