Paradise regained

Delhi's most unusual winter halwa

- Mayank Austen Soofi

Taj Mahal is white, and gajar halwa is red. But gajar halwa can also be white. White carrot halwa annually makes its winter debut at the landmark Sheeren Bhawan. The rare dessert is in fact sighted only at this pre-partition mithai shop in Old Delhi's Chitli Qabar Chowk.

This rainy afternoon, the sky is gloomy grey, the cold air is smoggy, but fragrant steam is rising enthusiastically from the halwa platter atop the shop counter. "We launched the halwa four-five days ago," says attendant Mansoor in a nonchalant tone.