Sponge Gourd Burfi / Luffa Burfi / Nethi Beerakaya Burfi / Easy Loofah Burfi

 

Sponge Gourd Burfi

Ingredients

Sweetened Mawa /Khoya - 1 cup

( For making Khoya in microwave click HERE .If using unsweetened Khoya then add sugar according to your taste)

Chopped nuts of your choice - 2 tbsp

Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp

Saffron - a generous pinch

Loofah/Sponge gourd /Luffa/Nethi Beerakaya - 1 medium size

(Do not peel the luffa skin completly as they may loose shape when boiling,peeling skin is optional.If the luffa is tender no not peel the skin.Cut it into thick circles and gently scoop out the flesh and chop it finely.Do not cut it into very thin circles they will loose shape while boiling)

Desiccated coconut - 1 tbsp + 1 tbsp for dusting

Sugar - 2 tbsp

Ghee - 1 tsp

Green food colour - a pinch ( optional)

Water as needed

Luffa Burfi

Method

Take a wide pan add very little water ,sugar and food colour if using and boil till cooked.

Do not over cook till soft. Boiling will take only few seconds.

Remove from the syrup and place it on a plate to cool completely.

Nethi Beerakaya Burfi

Heat 1 tsp ghee and fry the sponge gourd flesh for few minutes till raw smell has disappeared.

Add the desiccated coconut and fry for few more minutes and switch off the stove.

Cool and then add the nuts,saffron,cardamom powder and khoya mix well.

Take small portion of the mixture and stuff it into the cooked sponge gourd rings.

Keep it in fridge for 10 minutes to harden slightly .

Remove from fridge and dust the sides with desiccated coconut and sprinkle some nut on top.

Decorate with cherries enjoy chill!

Loofah Burfi / Luffa Burfi 

Notes:

a) Do not cut the rings to small when cooked they will break.

b) Peeling the skin is optional, if sponge gourd is  tender do not peel.

c) Do not boil the vegetable too much they will loose it's shape.

d) You can add any flavoring of your choice.

Thanks for visiting !