Cold, cough, and breathing problems are very common during winter, and rising air pollution has made things worse. In such a situation, a warm and nutritious diet works like natural medicine. While carrot halwa and moong dal halwa are winter favorites, ginger halwa (adrak halwa) is a lesser-known but extremely powerful traditional recipe that helps keep the lungs healthy and protects the body from seasonal illnesses.

In earlier times, grandmothers would start making ginger halwa as soon as winter arrived. Once prepared, it can be stored and eaten easily for 3–4 days. Rich in antioxidants and warming in nature, ginger halwa is especially beneficial for people who frequently suffer from cold, cough, chest congestion, or shortness of breath during winter.

Ingredients required for ginger halwa

• 150 grams ginger (finely grated)

• ½ teaspoon dry ginger powder

• 1 cup jaggery (coarsely chopped)

• ½ cup powdered sugar

• 1 teaspoon green cardamom powder

• 3 tablespoons ghee

• 8–10 pistachios (finely chopped)

• 8–10 almonds (finely chopped)

• 1 cup wheat flour

• 15–16 dates (pitted and finely chopped)

• 1 cup fresh grated coconut

How to prepare the syrup

Take a deep pan and add about 4½–5 cups of water. Add jaggery and sugar to it. Mix in dry ginger powder and cardamom powder. Heat the mixture on medium flame, stirring continuously, until the jaggery and sugar dissolve completely and the syrup comes to a gentle boil.

How to make ginger halwa

Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a thick-bottomed pan. Add the grated ginger and sauté it while stirring continuously. Once aromatic, remove it onto a plate.

In the same pan, add the remaining ghee. Roast the wheat flour on low flame until it turns golden brown and releases a pleasant aroma. Now add the sautéed ginger back into the pan and mix well.

Add chopped dates, almonds, and some pistachios. Stir everything together. Slowly pour in the prepared jaggery-sugar syrup while stirring continuously. Let the halwa cook on low flame for about two minutes.

Stir again and check the consistency. If the halwa feels sticky, add a little more ghee. Once cooked, garnish with remaining pistachios and a pinch of cardamom powder. Serve hot.

Why ginger halwa is so beneficial

Ginger is considered one of the best winter herbs. According to health experts, ginger:

• Helps relieve cold, cough, and chest congestion

• Improves digestion and gut health

• Supports lung function and breathing

• Boosts immunity

• Helps manage blood sugar

• Reduces nausea and body inflammation