In the Mau district of Uttar Pradesh, a special sweet is prepared that easily outshines traditional dry-fruit confections like kaju katli. At the well-known Triveni Sweet House, a unique barfi is crafted using fresh bottle gourd and pumpkin. Its flavor profile stands distinctly apart from ordinary market sweets. According to shop owner Dharmchand, this traditional sweet has been prepared continuously for several decades.
The Preparation Process and Ingredients
Making this special barfi involves combining bottle gourd or pumpkin with mawa, sugar, and pure desi ghee. The precise blend of these ingredients gives the confection its unusual texture and distinct taste. As store operator Dharmchand explains, the process begins by peeling the gourd or pumpkin and slicing it into small pieces. These pieces are then boiled in water to soften them and make the subsequent preparation steps much smoother.
Cooking Time and Special Finishing Touches
After boiling, sugar is mixed directly into the gourd or pumpkin, and the mixture is cooked thoroughly. Mawa is then added, and the entire blend is stirred until fully incorporated before being shaped into traditional barfi pieces. According to Dharmchand, preparing a batch of roughly 15 to 20 kilos takes about two to two and a half hours. Desi ghee is added toward the end to elevate the richness and flavor. This barfi is intentionally crafted to have a mild, subtle sweetness rather than an overpowering sugary taste.
Pricing and High Customer Demand
At Triveni Sweet House, this artisanal barfi is sold for 400 rupees per kilogram. The management notes that the sweet is prepared fresh every single day, and high demand often leads to the entire stock selling out by evening time. Aside from local residents in Mau, food enthusiasts from various neighboring districts frequently travel just to purchase this specialty.
