Winter wonders of Lucknow: Have you had the mouth-watering Kali Gajar ka Halwa at this shop yet?

Are you a fan of season-specific delights? Where words like ‘umda’ escape your tongue the moment you taste a certain food item? Well, that’s what happens in Lucknow and with its famous seasonal foods. The value is ten-fold and the flavours — a reminder of pure ‘musarrat’ (bliss) and ‘rahat’ (comfort).

While Old Lucknow is solely famous for serving these delights, it’s some age-old shops that have their patrons always returning to them time and again. Standing since the 1960s, Haji Sweet Shop is one such instance.

A legacy worth exploring: Haji Sweet Shop

Started by Haji Mohammad Shafeeq, this is the fourth generation carrying the shop’s legacy forward. While one of the most sought-after desserts here is Khoye ke Laddu, it’s the shop’s Kali Gajar ka Halwa that rises up in popularity in the cold season.

With its rich flavours and traditional preparation, this special halwa is made of black carrots. Slow-cooked to perfection with ghee, khoya, sugar and aromatic spices, it speaks volumes of the Lakhnavi culinary heritage. Bathed in coal black colour and adorned in silver vark, Kali Gajar ka Halwa has a deep, earthy taste.

Starting at merely ₹180/kg Balushahi and ₹200/kg for Besan Ka Ladoo, some of the other famed mithai here are Dudh ki Barfi and Lal Gajar ka Halwa.

Mohammad Faizan, the current owner of Haji Sweet Shop, conversed with Knocksense about the shop, “My grandfather established this space in the early 1960s and we’re proud of the heritage. We have two shops, both in Nakkhas. And I dream to expand it further, like everyone does.”

Talking about the authenticity and the freshness of the food items, he explained, “The shelf life of mithai is short (1-2 days) in general so we prepare everything late at night and early morning and finish it all within 10 hours.”

In a surprising revelation, he shared, “Aaj bhi, is daur me, hum ₹1 ki mithai de dete hain (we serve dishes for even ₹1).” Probably one of the only ones doing so, Haji Sweet Shop has a rich narrative etched in Lucknow’s roots.