This Summer, Try Chef Kunal Kapur’s Special Watermelon Halwa Recipe

Let’s just agree that an Indian will always be a foodie, no matter where he or she goes. We might love to nosh on sorbets, puddings, custards and more, but we can never say no to a bowl of halwa. Most Indians are a complete desi at heart when it comes to food choices. From digging into traditional food items that we have always been enjoying since childhood to recreating the same with other seasonal ingredients, love for Indian cuisine never fades. 

One of the most favoured sweet delights happens to be halwa. It is usually prepared during festivals or other celebratory occasions. However, if you are craving halwa in this scorching summer heat, treat yourself to a unique and delicious halwa - straight from the kitchen of Chef Kunal Kapur.

Watermelon is one of the most popular fruits of the summer season. Juicy, sweet and absolutely refreshing, watermelon is the go-to fruit this season. With its super hydrating and healthy properties, watermelon can be the perfect fruit to beat the scorching summer heat. But what’s even better is that the fruit can be given a nice, drool-worthy and sweet twist as well by turning it into a delectable halwa.  

Chef Kunal took to Instagram recently to share a quick and easy recipe for the halwa that requires just a handful of ingredients and just less than an hour. 

Ingredients: 

Watermelon rind - 3 large wedges 

Ghee - 2-3 tbsp 

Suji (semolina) - 1 tbsp 

Besan (gram flour) - 1 tbsp 

Sugar - ½ cup 

Cardamom powder - ½ tsp 

Nutmeg powder - a pinch 

Milk - 1 cup 

Almonds and pista - a handful

Method: 

1. First step is to remove the outer thick green layer of the watermelon rind using a peeler. 

2. Repeat the process and remove another layer of the rind.  

3. Now, chop the rind and add it to a grinder. 

4. Convert it all into a paste without using water. 

5. Heat some ghee in a pan. Add suji, besan and cook on low flame till the mix turns brown. 

6. After that, add the melon rind puree and cook it till it thickens, for about 15-20 minutes. 

7. Now, add sugar and cook again for 10 minutes. You can add cardamom powder, nutmeg powder and milk. Let it cook for another five minutes and remove from heat. 

8. Serve hot topped with chopped almonds and pista.  

Take a look at the video here:

While halwa isn’t essentially a summer treat, giving it a watermelon spin can be a great way to enjoy the popular Indian dessert. But if you are looking for summer specific desserts, look no further than the classic kulfi! The Indian ice cream has many fans, and is associated with a sense of childhood nostalgia in addition to its flavours. Didn’t most of us run after the bicycle-riding kulfi sellers on hot summer afternoons or evenings? Besides everything, a dinner followed by kulfi seals the meal during summer season like nothing else! Looking for an easy kulfi recipe? Click here for the full recipe.