This recipe is our healthy take on Halwa, which traditionally contains a lot of sugar (which also helps it set). This mixture is then served baked in filo pastry for a decadent, yet guilt-free dessert. Black strap molasses is a deliciously rich and dark syrup. It is produced when the sugar cane is processed to make refined sugar. It is packed with minerals and nutrients, contains iron, magnesium and calcium, is beneficial to the hair, digestion and is a safe sweetener for diabetics.

220g peeled and grated pumpkin flesh and courgette
270ml oat milk
2 star anise
1 tsp green cardamom seeds, crushed
1 tbsp goji berries
1 tbsp ghee
4 tbsp molasses
2 tbsp of nuts of your choice (we like pistachios)
1/2 tsp rose water
Packet of filo pastry
Rose petals for garnish

Pop the vegetables, milk, spices and goji berries into a sauce pan and gently bring to a simmer
Cook until the vegetables are tender and the liquid has evaporated
Add the molasses, nuts, ghee and rosewater and leave to cool
Preheat the oven to 200C
Spread the pastry on a chopping board, and cup as shown on the picture below
Spoon 2 tablespoons of the mixture onto the pastry and roll, as shown on the picture below
Place onto a baking paper lined tray and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown
Arrange on a plate, scatter with rose petals and icing sugar (optional)


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