Jackfruit Halwa

Jackfruit is season is still on and is available plenty in the market. We can prepare many many dishes with jackfruits, raw or rip. Jackfruit payasam, curries, kadubu/idli, muluka/sweet fried fritters and dry curry, cake dose or guli appa and happala/Papad.
Here I have prepared Jackfruit Halva and is so yummy.

I have used jackfruits, some dry nuts, corn flakes and chenna/Hurikadale/pottu kadale/ putani and jaggery. Adding chenna and corn flakes helps the halva to turn thick and it adds a good taste too.
You can keep this halva for a long time.
Let us see some benefits eating Jackfuits. 
Jackfruit is rich in vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fiber and protein. It has no chalories.
It contain some amount of Viamin A. It rich in B complex vitamins and Vitamin C. It has a good source of antioxidants and helps to get good immunity. Fresh fruits are good source of minerals like potassium, magnesium, manganese and iron. Potassium in jackfruit helps to maintain the sodium level in our body. It helps to reduce high blood pressure. Jackfuit is a rich source of of dietery fiber that helps to improve the digestion and prevent constipation.
Lets see the recipe now.

Ingredients :

Jackfruits : 25 to 30 fruits.
Jaggery : 1/2 Kg.
Corn flakes : 1 Cup (optional). (Any brand)
Chenna/Hurikadale/Putani/Pottu kadale : 1 Cup
Nuts : 1 Small cup (any amount)
Milk Powder : 2 Tablespoons (Optional)
Ghee : 3 to 4 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Cut jackfruits into small and add it to jaggery. (It helps the jaggery to melt soon). (10minutes).
2. Grind jackfruits and jaggery without using water and remove it from the mixi jar.

3. Cut dry fruits into small pieces. (I used walnuts, cashews and almonds).
4. Dry grind cornflakes and chenna and keep it aside.

5. Keep a pan on the fire and put ground jackfruit mixture.
6. Stir continueously on low flame. Add cornflakes and chenna dry powder.

7. Stiriing should be done continuously. Jackfruit turns into thick paste.
8. It starts to leave the pan. Add milk powder and mix it well.

9. Stir for another 5 to 10 minutes. Add the ghee at this stage and mix it well again.

10. Spread little ghee on a plate or tray. Pour the jackfruit halva mixture on the tray.

11. Even/level it nicely by adding a teaspoon of ghee on the top and spread it with spatula.
12. Leave it for cooling. It should be cooled completely. Then cut into your desired shape.

13. It takes a longer time to harden. So better leave it for at least 5 to 6 hours and then cut into small pieces.
14. Store it in a steel box or container.

Note :

It takes longer time to get the thickness for halva. One should do it on a low flame. Or it is burnt and will not be tasty.
Use of milk powder is optional. Use of dry fruits also optional. More or Less.
Cutting the jackfruit into small pieces helps grinding them quickly.
Adding jaggery to jackfruits and allow them to melt helps grind it easily.
You can also boil jaggery and filter it. ( I used fresh savayava jaggery and did not clean it).
You should use proper amount of jaggery so that it helps to get the hardness in halva.
No need to use lots of ghee because ghee comes out of halva and so much ghee in halva does not taste good.
Do not hurry to try to do it on high flame, it may turn chewy.
Use of sugar instead of jaggery is optional. (2 Cups of sugar). Useing jaggery is a healthy option.
Time : 1 hour 
30 to 40 Pieces can be made. (According to the size).
You can try this Halva with Ripe Nendra baale Hannu.

Nutritious Laddu

Nutritious Laddus are prepared using walnuts, cashews, raisins, almonds and poppy seeds. They are very nutritious and yummy and very healthy sweet. No sugar in it.
You  can cut in to slice or turn as laddu and have them when ever you want.

I have used dates (fresh Lion dated), Anjur/figs, Almonds/badams, Cashews, Raisins and little poppy seeds. It is sugar free and guilt free laddu / slice.
Dates are free from cholesterol and contain very low fat. Dates are rich in vitamins and minerals. They are rich source of protein, dietary fiber. It helps to improve the digestive system as it contains soluble and insoluble fibers. they are great energy boosters as they contain natural sugars. Dates are very low in calories and suitable for health conscious people.
Figs are also filled with
Nuts like, Badam(almonds), Cashew nuts, Figs, dry grapes are full of nutrients and good for health.
They are good for digestion, diabetes, cough, astama and constipation. They also help to control the cholesterol level and helps to gain weight in people who wants to put on some weight. They are filled with minerals, vitamins like, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Calcium, Iron, Phophours, Manganese, Sodium, Potassium and Chlorine.
We bought these figs from a small place near Sagar, It is home grown and sun dried.
These " Dates and Nuts Laddus" are loaded with nutrition and good to eat at any time of the day. You can carry it for travelling and good for kids school snack box. Good for ladies kitty party or kids party.
No Need to roast or fry any nuts. Use them as they are to get good benefits.

Lets see the recipe Now: 

Things needed :
Dates : 250 Grams
Cashew nuts :200 Grams
Almonds : 200 Grams
Walnuts : 100 Grams
Figs : 100 Grams (Optional)
Raisins : 200 Grams
Dry figs/Anjur  : 100 Grams
Poppy Seeds : 1 Tablespoon

Method :

1. Dry grind almonds coarsely. Remove the seeds from dates and cut into small pieces.

2. Powder walnuts into powder.

3. Powder figs into powder. ( Use a dry grinder - mixi jar).

3. Cut cashews into small pieces.
4. Now take a big bowl and mix all the nuts and powdered figs.

5. Mix all the ingredients nicely for some time and see they are hard as logs.

6. Now roll it as logs and slice or take a small portion and prepare laddu.

7. Prepare laddus and arrange them in a tray and sprinkle some poppy seeds on them.

8. Dates and Nuts Laddu is ready to serve. You can store them in a airtight bottle or box.

9. You can also prepare the the whole content as a log.
10. Slice the log in to small pieces. Sprinkle some poppy seeds on the top and enjoy.

 Note :
 You can also add other dry fruits like Apricot with dates. It gives more taste too. Adding Mari/Glucose biscuits to ingredients is optional. It helps the ingredients to bind it well and the pieces turn as thick and well shaped slices. ( I have not added, because biscuits contain maida/All purpose flour).
Put on your creative cap and mould shapes you fancy!