Traditional Tamil revival-style Parangikai Halwa made with coconut milk, served warm in a brass bowl — a no milk, no ghee Indian sweet inspired by vratham recipes, from Sandyathome.
Ancient Revival Recipes, Desserts, Halwa Recipes, Recipes, Sweets & Desserts

Parangikai Halwa with Coconut Milk, How to make Pumpkin Halwa

It all began with a conversation over filter coffee. My friend’s mother was talking about old Tamil vratham foods, and somewhere in that flow, she softly mentioned a recipe — a sweet dish made with parangikai/ gummadi kaaya, jaggery, and coconut milk, something her own mother would make on Purattasi Saturdays, especially when dairy was avoided.

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She said it was the kind of recipe you won’t find in standard cookbooks, but one that draws from Tamil temple traditions and ingredients praised in older texts — thengai paal, vellam, seeraga parangikai. That stayed with me. I began exploring bits of Sangam literature, temple food references from Tanjore and Chidambaram, and ancient paatti vaithiyam books that spoke of pairing pumpkin with jaggery and coconut milk for both nourishment and coolness.

In my version, I’ve used organic cane sugar instead of jaggery — to preserve the natural golden-orange hue of the pumpkin, and let its beauty shine through without being masked by the deeper color of jaggery.


This Parangikai Halwa with Coconut Milk is my humble revival of that story — soft, light, and made without ghee or milk. Whether you’re looking for a vegan pumpkin halwa, a fasting sweet without dairy, or a wholesome Indian coconut milk dessert, this one brings comfort with every spoon.

A Bite of Revival History – Yellow Pumpkin Halwa

Pumpkin, or parangikai, wasn’t just a vegetable in ancient Tamil homes — it was revered for its cooling nature and sattvic quality, often cooked during vratham days and amavasai offerings. In many temple towns like Chidambaram and Tanjore, dishes made without ghee or milk were common during fasting rituals, where thengai paal (coconut milk) and vellam (jaggery) replaced dairy in sweets.

While exact recipes weren’t recorded, texts and temple kitchen notes spoke of slowly cooked dishes with grated pumpkin, melted jaggery, and coconut milk — meant to nourish, cool the body, and honor the divine. It’s through oral stories like the one shared by my friend’s mother, and quiet mentions in Sangam-era texts and paatti vaithiyam traditions, that this sweet resurfaced.

This Parangikai Halwa with Coconut Milk is not just a recipe — it’s a gentle echo from Tamil kitchens of the past, revived through curiosity, storytelling, and slow fire.

Jump to Recipe

Ingredients & Their Roles – Parangikai Halwa

IngredientRole in the Recipe
Yellow pumpkin (Parangikai/ Gummadi kaaya)Main ingredient; gives body, natural sweetness, and vibrant golden-orange color
Thick coconut milk Lends creamy richness without dairy milk; brings traditional flavor
Organic cane sugar Sweetener; preserves pumpkin’s natural color and provides gentle sweetness
Cardamom powder Adds warm aroma and depth; a signature halwa flavor
CashewsRoasted in ghee; adds nutty crunch and richness
Raisins Provides bursts of sweetness and a soft, chewy texture
Ghee Used for roasting nuts and enriching the halwa with traditional flavor
Pinch of saltEnhances overall taste by balancing sweetness

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Parangikai Halwa with Coconut Milk, How to make Pumpkin Halwa
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Parangikai Halwa with Coconut Milk, How to make Pumpkin Halwa

Recipe by Sandhya Riyaz
5.0 from 1 vote
Course: Dessert / NeivedyamCuisine: Tamil Revival / South IndianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

3

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

20

minutes

Ingredients to make Pumpkin Halwa

  • 2 cups, 2 Yellow pumpkin (Parangikai), grated

  • 1 cup, 1 Thick coconut milk

  • ½ teaspoon, ½ Cardamom powder

  • 5 to 6 nos, 5 to 6 Cashews (broken)

  • 6 to 8 nos. 6 to 8 Raisins

  • 3 tablespoon, 3 Ghee

  • Pinch of salt

Directions to make Paragikai halwa

  • Prep the Pumpkin:
    Peel and grate yellow pumpkin (parangikai). Measure about 2 cups and set aside.
  • Sauté in Ghee:
    In a heavy-bottomed pan or iron kadai, heat 1 tbsp of ghee.
    Add the grated pumpkin and sauté on medium-low heat for 5–7 minutes until soft and the raw smell fades.
  • Add Thick Coconut Milk:
    Lower the flame to low. Pour in 1 cup thick coconut milk.
    Mix gently and cook uncovered on low heat, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and the pumpkin is fully cooked. This may take 8–10 minutes.
    ✨ Do not let it boil vigorously — gentle simmer only.
  • Sweeten Gently:
    Add ½ to ¾ cup organic cane sugar (adjust to taste).
    Stir slowly and continue cooking on low until the halwa begins to leave the sides of the pan and turns glossy.
    (Tip: Organic cane sugar helps preserve the beautiful golden color of the pumpkin.)
  • Flavor and Finish:
    Add ½ tsp cardamom powder and a pinch of salt.
    In a small pan, heat a little ghee and roast broken cashews until golden. Add them in.
  • Serve:
    Let the halwa rest for 5–10 minutes. Serve warm.

Notes

  • 1 cup = 250 ml

Directions to make pumpkin halwa with step by step images

  • Sauté in Ghee:
    In a heavy-bottomed pan or iron kadai, heat 1 tbsp of ghee.
    Add the grated pumpkin and sauté on medium-low heat for 5–7 minutes until soft and the raw smell fades.
  • Add Thick Coconut Milk:
    Lower the flame to low. Pour in 1 cup thick coconut milk.
    Mix gently and cook uncovered on low heat, stirring often, until the mixture thickens and the pumpkin is fully cooked. This may take 8–10 minutes.
    ✨ Do not let it boil vigorously — gentle simmer only.
  • Sweeten, Flavor u0026 Finish:
    Add ½ to ¾ cup organic cane sugar and stir gently. Continue cooking on low flame until the halwa thickens, turns glossy, and leaves the sides of the pan. Add ½ tsp cardamom powder and a pinch of salt. In a small pan, heat a little ghee and roast broken cashews until golden. Add them to the halwa and mix gently.
    (Tip: Organic cane sugar helps preserve the beautiful golden color of the pumpkin.)
Temple-style parangikai halwa cooked with thengai paal (coconut milk) and sugar — a revival recipe inspired by Tamil vratham sweets and Sangam-era flavors.

Pro Tips to make tasty Yellow Pumpkin Halwa

  • Use only thick coconut milk to keep the halwa creamy and prevent it from becoming watery.
  • Cook on low flame after adding coconut milk to avoid curdling or oil separation.
  • Choose organic cane sugar to maintain the vibrant golden-orange color of the pumpkin.
  • Sauté pumpkin well in ghee before adding coconut milk — it helps deepen the flavor.
  • Let the halwa rest for a few minutes after cooking — it thickens beautifully as it cools.

Serving Suggestions for Yellow Pumpkin Halwa

  • Serve warm in brass bowls or on a banana leaf for a rustic, traditional touch.
  • Perfect as a vratham sweet, Navaratri offering, or temple-style neivedyam.
  • Can be chilled and served as a pudding-like dessert with roasted coconut flakes on top.
  • Pair it with rava pongal, sundal, or thavala adai for a festive Tamil tiffin spread.
Soft halwa made with yellow pumpkin and coconut milk, cooked in ghee and topped with cashews — a classic Tamil dessert with no condensed milk or jaggery.

FAQs – Parangikai Halwa/ Yellow Pumpkin Halwa

Q: Can I make pumpkin halwa without ghee or milk?

Yes! This Parangikai Halwa with Coconut Milk is made without ghee or dairy milk, making it ideal for those looking for a vegan pumpkin sweet or a Tamil fasting dessert.

Q: Why did my coconut milk curdle in halwa?

Coconut milk can curdle if cooked on high heat or boiled too long after adding sugar. Always cook on low flame, and add coconut milk before sugar to prevent curdling in halwa recipes.

Q: What kind of sugar is best for pumpkin halwa?

For a lighter color and soft sweetness, use organic cane sugar. If you prefer a deep caramel flavor, you can use jaggery in pumpkin halwa — but it will change the color and taste.

Q: Can I use canned coconut milk in Indian sweets?

Yes! Use full-fat canned coconut milk for halwa. Just shake the can well and avoid light versions. It works wonderfully in South Indian sweets made with coconut milk.

Q: Is this recipe from any traditional Tamil or Telugu text?

Not directly. This halwa is a revival-style recipe, inspired by fasting foods, oral traditions, and references to ingredients found in temple cuisine and Sangam-era cooking practices.

Halwa Recipes

Sweet Recipes

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