Sweet Potatoes Halwa.

Har har Mahadev. .._/\_....

Sweet Potatoes Halwa. 

Today we are celebrating ‘ Maha Shivaratri’’. This is a Hindu festival of Nepal and India celebrated annually in reverence of the God Shiva. Shivaratri is celebrated during the night by keeping a "Jaagaran"  a night-long vigil as it's believed that Lord Shiva saved the universe from darkness and ignorance. This day is also believed to be the day that Shiva was married to the Goddess Parvati. The Maha Shivaratri festival, also popularly known as 'Shivaratri'.

The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael leaves to Shiva, all-day fasting and an all-night-vigil (jagaran). All through the day, devotees chant "Om Namah Shivaya", the sacred mantra of Shiva.

For this festival I’m preparing a special sweet dish - Sweet Potato Halwa. It’s very easy to make. Sweet Potato has many health benefits.

Health Benefits

Diabetes  - Sweet potatoes are considered low on the glycemic index scale, and recent research suggests they may reduce pisodes of low blood sugar and insulin resistance in people with diabetes. The fiber in sweet potatoes makes a big difference too. Studies have shown that type 1 diabetics who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels and type 2 diabetics may have improved blood sugar, lipids and insulin levels. One medium sweet potato provides about 6 grams of fiber.

Blood pressure - Maintaining a low sodium intake is essential to lowering blood pressure, however increasing potassium intake may be just as important. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, fewer than 2% of US adults are meeting the daily 4,700 mg recommendation for potassium. One medium sweet potato provides about 542 milligrams.

Cancer- Among younger men, diets rich in beta-carotene may play a protective role against prostate cancer, according to a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health's Department of Nutrition. Beta-carotene has also been shown to have an inverse association with the development of colon cancer in the Japanese population.

Digestion and regularity - Because of its high fiber content, sweet potatoes help to prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract.

Fertility- For women of childbearing age, consuming more iron from plant sources appears to promote fertility, according Harvard Medical School's Harvard Health Publications. The vitamin A in sweet potatoes (consumed as beta-carotene then converted to vitamin A in the body) is also essential during pregnancy and lactation for hormone synthesis.

Vision - The antioxidant vitamins C and E in sweet potatoes have been shown to support eye health and prevent degenerative damage.

Well now lets make Sweet Potato’s Halwa.

Sweet Potatoes Halwa.

Ingredients-

Sweet potatos- 2

Jaggery- ½ cup -3/4 cup.

Ghee- 2 tsp

Cardmom- 1 pinch.

Dry fruits- any.  

Coconut gratings- ¼ cup.

Method

1. Peel Sweet potatos

2. Cut them in to thin slices.
3. Make Jaggry / Gud ko in to powder , the ratio is 1: 3/4 cup.

4. Now add 2 tsp. ghee in a thick bottomed pan.

5. Now add  slices  then Jaggery  and then sweet potato slices.

6. Place them in layers and close the lid.

7. After 5 mins mix well n cook till it thickens.

8. Add 1 tsp cardmom pd. 

Garnish with dry fruit n grated coconut.

 Enjoy Maha Shivaratri  fasting with Sweet Potato Halwa.