This is a delicious, rich, and creamy dessert flavored with pumpkin, saffron, and cardamom. This simple milk based dessert is perfect for any fall entertaining. This can be served hot, warm, or chilled.
Rabdi (aka rabri) is a creamy dessert from North Indian cuisine. It is made by reducing milk, flavored with cardamom and saffron, and topped with nuts. Pumpkin rabdi, as the name implies, is the pumpkin version of the traditional rabdi.
This pumpkin rabdi can be made similarly to the traditional rabdi recipe. You add pumpkin to it , that's the extra ingredient. I have used pumpkin chunks, as I love to have a bite of it here and there. Pumpkin cooks quickly and the chunks work beautifully well. Grated pumpkin can also be added. There are a couple of things to keep in mind while making this. It is a great idea to stir often, so that the milk doesn't scorch at the bottom. A dollop of ghee helps with this, and try to cook in a low-medium flame. High flame can lead to burning, and this would spoil the flavor of the rabdi.
If you are wondering why pumpkin rabdi, then check the following points. Pumpkin, the amazing orange colored winter squash, is an incredible source of nutrients like vitamins, iron, and potassium. It is packed with vitamin A precursors and our body can easily convert them to Vitamin A when we consume it. I always find numerous ways to include nutrition packed veggies in the diet. Specially, when you have general picky eaters, or picky to specific veggies. Plus, rabdi is also one of our favorites. Combining both into one dessert is a smart idea to use the locally available veggie of the season and benefitting from its nutrition!
It is hard to realize that it is September already. It is as if we celebrated the New Year in the winter, and already spring and Summer have rolled by. It is soon going to be the Fall. With apples, pears, and persimmons loaded on the trees, pumpkins and spaghetti squash ready for harvest, we welcome Fall, my favorite season of the year! It is amazing to see fall colors! Another favorite part of the season is the addictive and delicious foods. I love the welcoming home filled with the aroma of cinnamon and apples. Yet another favorite part of the season is our #fallflavorsweek!
Welcome to the fourth annual #FallFlavors! We have 21 bloggers sharing over SIXTY recipes using fall ingredients like squash, apples, maple, pecans, and many more. Follow #FallFlavors to see all the delicious recipes on social media. Follow the Favorite Fall Recipes Facebook group and follow the Favorite Fall Flavors Pinterest board for more fall inspiration!
Like I said before, I love to include pumpkin in many recipes. I love this pumpkin curry and this pumpkin kootu for its sweet and spicy flavors. But not everyone in our home. Instead, if I make these pumpkin dinner rolls, or the pumpkin cinnamon rolls, or the pumpkin parathas, they are gone in a flash. This rabdi with pumpkin chunks or grated pumpkin is close to our heart, and is one of the fall favorites, just like this Vegan Pumpkin Halwa!
Ingredients
Serves 4-6
Milk - 4 cups
Pumpkin - 1 cup, 1-in cubes
Sugar - 1/3 cup
Cardamom powder - 1/8 tsp
Saffron - a generous pinch
Ghee - 1 tbsp
Pumpkin seeds - 1 tbsp, optional
Method
Heat the milk with ghee on a low-medium heat and reduce it to half the quantity, stirring now and then. During this process, as and when the cream separates, push it to the side, mix well and let it simmer. This gives the perfect texture. This may take about 40-45 minutes.
Add the pumpkin chunks and let it simmer for 5 minutes. Mash a couple of pumpkins for adding more flavor into the rabdi. Add the sugar and cardamom.
Simmer for a couple of minutes. Switch off the flame. Stir in the saffron.
Transfer to serving bowls, serve the pumpkin rabdi hot, warm, or chilled, with some toasted pumpkin seeds as garnish, if preferred.
Monday #FallFlavor Recipes
Beverages
- Apple Cider Mule from Art of Natural Living
- Caramel Apple Sangria from Our Crafty Cocktails
- Jack Rose Cocktail from Books n' Cooks
Breads
- Apple Cider Donuts from Sweet Beginnings
- Pumpkin Banana Muffins from Hostess At Heart
Salads, Soups, and Sides
- Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad from Cheese Curd In Paradise
- Chipotle Butternut Squash Mash from A Little Fish in the Kitchen
- Cider Baked Squash from Jolene's Recipe Journal
- Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Loaded Cauliflower Casserole from Blogghetti
Main Dishes
- Black Pepper Pork Tenderloin with Fig Preserves from The Spiffy Cookie
- Easy French Onion Chicken Recipe from Family Around The Table
- Maple Bacon Smoked Sausage from Palatable Pastime
Desserts
- Air Fryer Apple Crisp from Devour Dinner
- Air Fryer Apple Pie Egg Rolls from An Affair from the Heart
- Caramel Apple Rice Krispies Treats from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Maple Syrup Pancake Cookies from Karen's Kitchen Stories
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies from Best Cookie Recipes
- Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe from Our Crafty Mom
- Pumpkin Rabdi from Magical Ingredients
- Pumpkin Whoopie Pies from Jen Around the World
Lisa says
This is an interesting recipe and I love pumpkin, can't wait to try it.
Lisa says
This is an interesting recipe and I love pumpkin, can't wait to try it.
Jolene says
I had no idea pumpkin was high in potassium, great info and this sounds delicious!
Jolene says
I had no idea pumpkin was high in potassium, great info and this sounds delicious!
Jolene says
I had no idea pumpkin was high in potassium, great info and this sounds delicious!
Marcelle says
This dessert looks so creamy and flavorful!! What a wonderful autumn dessert!
Marcelle says
This dessert looks so creamy and flavorful!! What a wonderful autumn dessert!
Julie says
Loving all the flavors in this pumpkin dessert. It sounds marvelous!
Anonymous says
This looks so delicious. You always have the most amazing and unique recipes.
Anonymous says
This looks so delicious. You always have the most amazing and unique recipes.
Karen says
What an amazing dish. I always learn so much from you!
Karen says
What an amazing dish. I always learn so much from you!
Inger says
I love a good healthy dessert! And the saffron is healthy too!
Inger says
I love a good healthy dessert! And the saffron is healthy too!
Radha says
Glad to hear, Thanks Karen!
Radha says
Glad to hear, Thanks Karen!
Radha says
It is! Thanks, Julie!
Radha says
It is! Thanks, Julie!
Radha says
Thank you so much!
Radha says
Thank you so much!
Radha says
Let me know how you loved it. Thanks, Lisa!
Radha says
Thanks, Jolene!
Radha says
Thanks, Jolene!
Radha says
I love desserts that are healthy. Thanks, Inger!
Radha says
I love desserts that are healthy. Thanks, Inger!
Radha says
I love desserts that are healthy. Thanks, Inger!
Radha says
Thanks, Marcelle!
Radha says
Thanks, Marcelle!
Radha says
Thanks, Marcelle!
Grace says
This recipe looks interesting and I'm excited to give it a try.
Grace says
This recipe looks interesting and I'm excited to give it a try.
Grace says
This recipe looks interesting and I'm excited to give it a try.
Grace says
This recipe looks interesting and I'm excited to give it a try.
Rebecca says
Another fun recipe, and so unique too.
Rebecca says
Another fun recipe, and so unique too.
Rebecca says
Another fun recipe, and so unique too.
Rebecca says
Another fun recipe, and so unique too.