Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1      pound         or 6 medium carrots -- scrapped and grated
   4      cups          milk -- whole or 2%
     3/4  cup           heavy cream
     3/4  cup           sugar
   6      tablespoons   almonds -- ground
     1/2  teaspoon      cardamom powder
   3      tablespoons   pistachio nuts -- coarsely crushed
   3      tablespoons   ghee -- (optional )

Preparation:

Put the grated carrots, milk and heavy cream into a deep, large, heavy saucepan. Bring it to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to moderate and cook, stirring constantly until the mixture has reduced to about half its original volume and is thick enough to coat a spoon heavily. Stir in the sugar and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add the almonds and the ghee and stir for a few minutes more. The "halwa "is done when the mixture is thick enough to draw from the sides and bottom of the pan in a solid mass. Remove the pan and stir in the cardamom. Remove the halwa into a decorative serving dish. Decorate the top with the crushed pistachio nuts. Serve warm or at room temperature.