Custard apple, commonly known as sharifa, is a sweet and pulpy fruit available during the winter season. While people usually enjoy it fresh, you can also use it to prepare a delicious and creamy dessert at home. The natural sweetness of the fruit combined with the rich texture of milk makes this sweet treat truly special. Moreover, you do not need an extensive list of ingredients to pull this recipe off successfully.
Extracting the Pulp Properly
Before you begin making the dessert, wash the custard apples thoroughly with water. Cut them open and use a spoon to scoop out all the pulpy flesh into a bowl. The most crucial step here is separating the hard seeds from the pulp. Press the pulp gently with your hands and pick out every single seed, as custard apple seeds are entirely inedible. Once cleaned, keep the pulp aside in a bowl. Do not mash it into a fine paste; leaving small bits of fruit helps maintain a great texture and authentic flavor in the final sweet.
Reducing Milk and Mixing Ingredients
Next, place a heavy-bottomed pan on the stove, pour in milk, and heat it over medium flame. Stir the milk periodically so it does not stick to the bottom of the vessel. When the milk reduces and starts thickening, add milk powder and blend it smoothly. Follow this by adding sugar, adjusting the quantity based on how naturally sweet your custard apples are. Toss in a little cardamom powder and let the mixture simmer for a few minutes.
Adding Dry Fruits and Finalizing the Dish
Lower the heat and gently fold the custard apple pulp into the thickened milk. Cook it together for a few minutes, avoiding high heat after adding the fruit to prevent altering its unique taste and texture. Meanwhile, take a separate small pan, heat a little ghee, and lightly roast chopped cashews, almonds, and pistachios. Mix these roasted nuts into the main mixture. You can also soak a few strands of saffron in warm milk and pour it over the top.
Chilling and Serving the Dessert
Once the mixture thickens to a consistency similar to traditional sweets, turn off the heat and let it cool slightly. Grease a plate or tray with ghee, spread the mixture evenly over it, and garnish with remaining chopped nuts. Alternatively, you can spoon it into small bowls for individual serving. Refrigerate the sweet for one to two hours to set properly. Once chilled, cut it into neat pieces, garnish with extra pistachios, and serve it to your family or visiting guests.
