Paleo Gajar Ka Halwa Indian Carrot Pudding Gluten Free Lightened Up

Growing up in the United States, it was difficult to get into the spirit of Diwali. For one, there was no exchange of mithai (sweets) with our neighbors, family and friends. There was no lighting of diyas (candles) inside and outside the house due to fire hazards. And we certainly didn’t mess with sparklers. Think about it, soon after Halloween was over, it was all about Thanksgiving and Christmas. The malls were decorated with Christmas trees and lights, and you could hear Christmas music in the background. The smell of apple cider and hot chocolate was everywhere. Holiday season was in the air, and the spirit of Christmas could be felt a mile away. As a kid, it’s apparent why I gravitated more towards Christmas than Diwali. With that said, although we didn’t celebrate the “more exciting” parts of Diwali per se, we did celebrate the two most important components of Diwali – a puja (prayer) followed by a decadent dinner. This is the first year I’m away from home on Diwali, and I can tell you exactly what’s on my Mom’s menu… Halwa, Matar Paneer, deep-fried Poori, Dahi Bhalle, Pakoray or Kachodi. Once dinner is over, we proceed with chai along with my Mom’s Kheer. Clearly, my mom made dishes that were rather indulgent on Diwali which was such a treat. This year I’ll be celebrating Diwali in California with my husband, and I’ll be thinking about my family back home along with my Mom’s mouthwatering food. Wishing you all a very Happy Diwali! May the new year bring you peace, light, joy, prosperity and health! Now, if you love Gajar ka Halwa (Indian Carrot Pudding), I promise you will love the paleo version as well, only that it’s made with paleo-approved ingredients, including ghee. I know! Hope you give this recipe a try.