Raksha Bandhan, a cherished Indian festival, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters with traditional rituals, including the tying of a rakhi and sharing sweets. While many opt for store-bought sweets, preparing homemade sweets using vegetables can add a unique touch to the celebration. Not only do these sweets offer a healthier alternative, but they also allow you to control the sugar content and ensure the hygiene of the ingredients. Here’s how to make delicious vegetable sweets for Raksha Bandhan using parwal (pointed gourd) and lauki (bottle gourd), which are both nutritious and easy to prepare.

1. Parwal Ki Mithai (Pointed Gourd Sweet)
Ingredients:
500 grams parwal (pointed gourd)
200 grams milk khoya (available in markets or homemade)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
A few drops green food color (optional)
Chopped nuts (pistachios, cashews, almonds)
Raisins

Instructions:

Prepare the Parwal:
Wash and peel the parwals. Cut them lengthwise and remove the seeds to make them hollow.
Boil the parwals in water until they are about 70% cooked. Drain and set aside.

Make the Sugar Syrup:
In a pan, combine equal parts water and sugar. Heat until the sugar dissolves and forms a single-thread consistency syrup.
Add cardamom powder and a few drops of green food color to the syrup (optional) for added flavor and appearance.

Cook the Parwal:
Add the partially cooked parwals to the sugar syrup and let them simmer for a few minutes until they become soft and well-coated with syrup.
Turn off the heat and let the parwals soak in the syrup for 4-5 hours or overnight.

Prepare the Filling:
In another pan, cook khoya until it turns golden brown. Add chopped nuts and mix well.
Stuff each parwal with the khoya mixture.

Garnish and Serve:
Arrange the stuffed parwals on a serving plate and garnish with more chopped nuts.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.

2. Lauki Ki Barfi (Bottle Gourd Fudge)
Ingredients:
1 medium-sized bottle gourd (lauki), peeled and grated
200 grams milk khoya
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
Chopped nuts (cashews, almonds)
Melon seeds (optional)

Instructions:
Prepare the Lauki:
Wash, peel, and grate the bottle gourd. Squeeze out excess water from the grated lauki.
Heat ghee in a pan and add the grated lauki. Cook on low heat, stirring frequently, until the lauki becomes translucent and the raw smell disappears.

Cook the Mixture:
Add sugar to the cooked lauki and continue to cook until the mixture thickens and the sugar dissolves completely.
Add khoya and cardamom powder. Mix well and cook until the mixture starts to leave the sides of the pan and thickens further.

Set the Barfi:
Pour the mixture into a greased plate or tray. Spread it evenly and flatten the surface with a spatula.
Allow it to cool and set. Once it is firm, cut it into square or diamond-shaped pieces.

Garnish and Serve:
Garnish the barfi with chopped nuts and melon seeds.
Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Making sweets with vegetables for Raksha Bandhan not only adds a creative twist to your celebration but also provides a healthier alternative to traditional sweets. These recipes are simple to follow and can be prepared ahead of time, allowing you to enjoy the festivities with your loved ones without stress. Whether you choose to make parwal ki mithai or lauki ki barfi, these homemade sweets will surely delight your family and make your Raksha Bandhan celebration memorable.

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