National Walnut Day: 5 walnut desserts you must try
Observed on May 17 every year, National Walnut Day celebrates the highly nutritious nut that comes packed with healthy omega-3 fats and antioxidants. The day was established by the Walnut Marketing Board in the 1950s to celebrate and promote walnuts. Apart from desserts, walnuts are also used in salads and snacks for an added crunch. Here are five walnut desserts you can try today.
Walnut halwa
This light and luscious walnut halwa is nutritious and is the perfect dessert to have post-dinner. Soak walnuts in hot water for 15 minutes. Drain the water and coarsely grind them with cucumber seeds. Roast the mixture in a pan, add rock sugar powder, milk, saffron, cardamom powder, and dates, and cook for 10 minutes. Garnish with pumpkin seeds and walnuts and serve warm.
Walnut fudge
Packed with a delicious crunch of walnuts, this fudge has a smooth, rich, and velvety texture. Mix condensed milk with butter, cocoa powder, and vanilla essence in a pan. Cook the mixture while stirring continuously. Add chopped walnuts, mix, and transfer to a greased plate. Let the fudge set. Cut into square shapes once cool. Garnish with ground walnut and serve.
Walnut and chocolate pudding
Whisk egg whites in a bowl until stiff peaks form. Add sugar and whisk again. Stir in egg yolks, walnut paste, and flour. Pipe out the mixture on a greased tray and bake until crisp. Cook melted dark chocolate with butter and sugar. Add egg yolks, chopped walnuts, coffee, crushed sponge finger, rum, and whipped egg whites. Refrigerate, garnish with chocolate, and serve.
Walnut cake
Beat butter with sugar until fluffy and light. Add eggs and beat well. Add baking powder, flour, a little milk, and chopped walnuts, and mix well. Bake the mixture for 30 minutes and let it cool. For the icing, whip egg whites, add sugar and cream, and mix well. Pour this icing over the cake and decorate it with walnut halves.
Walnut laddoo
This walnut laddoo is healthy and nutritious and can be enjoyed as a quick dessert after a celebratory feast. Dry roast chopped walnuts in a pan and blend into a powder. Roast atta in a ghee-greased kadhai. Add jaggery and walnut powder and mix well. Add crushed dry fruits and let the mixture cool. Make small laddoos out of the mixture and serve.
