This winter, taste the perfect gajar halwa at this 55-yr-old Kachiguda sweet shop

Hyderabad: Food has always been an integral part of the Hyderabadi culture. With the onset of winter, a variety of delicacies have come into the market. From Double ka Meetha to jalebis to mirchi bajji, though available throughout the year, see a rise in sales during chilly winter days. But Gajar ka Halwa is one delicacy that is primarily available only in winter. Though a simple dish made with gajar, ghee, milk, and sugar, it is tough to achieve perfection.

This predominantly north Indian dish is quite popular among Hyderabadis, and one such place to devour this delicacy is Balaji Ratanlal Mithai Bhandar at Kachiguda.

Rajesh, the fifth-generation owner of the sweet shop, speaks about the reasons for the high demand for their Gajar ka Halwa.

"Nowadays, gajar halwa is available throughout the year, but the halwa made during the off-season is made of carrots, not gajar which are desi (locally produced). But our specialty is that we only make it with the seasonal gajar, elevating the taste," he explains.

Though the 55-year-old store is a prominent destination for all kinds of sweets in Kachiguda, from November to February, people from around the city swarm to the store for their Gajar ka Halwa.

Speaking about Hyderabad's culinary love, Rajesh says, "We have extraordinary standards of taste. The way we adore and inculcate food in everyday life is rarely seen."

He adds, "So, when people wait all year to have a taste of our dishes, it is validating."

Arun, a regular customer whose other favorite sweet is the milk-based Ras Maduri, says, "I've come to get my first installment of gajar halwa."

When asked the reason for their authentic taste, Pradeep, who manages the counter, says, "Each delicacy is prepared by the people belonging to that region where the dish originated, like cooks from Gujarat prepare the dhoklas."

Apart from the gajar halwa, gond (wheat) ladoos, ghewar, and paneer jalebis are a few of their seasonal dishes.

Also, don't miss out on their juicy Khaman Dhoklas.