Kulfi

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Pistachio, rose, and vanilla flavoured kulfi

Kulfi or Qulfi (Urdu: قلفی ) is a popular flavoured frozen dessert made with milk found in South Asia. It is a kind of ice cream.

Unlike normal ice-cream- kulfi takes a very long time to melt. It comes in various flavours, including pistachio, malai, mango, cardamom (elaichi), saffron (kesar), the more traditional flavours, as well as newer variations like apple, orange, peanut, and avocado.

Unlike western ice creams, which are whipped and filled with air, kulfi is not whipped, it is a solid, dense frozen dessert. It is a distinct category of frozen dairy-based dessert.

[edit] Preparation

Kulfi is prepared from evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and heavy (double) cream^[1]. Then sugar is added and the mixture is further boiled for another ten minutes and a teaspoon of cornflour is added to it after making it into a paste using water. On adding the paste, the mixture thickens and is boiled for some more time. Then flavourings, dried fruits, cardamom, etc. are added. The mixture is then cooled, put in moulds and frozen.

It is garnished with ground cardamom, saffron, or pistachio nuts. Kulfi is also served with faloodeh (vermicelli noodles).

Traditionally in the South Asia, kulfi is sold by street vendors called kulfiwallahs who keep the kulfi frozen by placing the moulds inside a large earthenware pot called a "matka"^[2], filled with ice and salt. It is served on a plate or frozen onto a stick, and garnished with pistachios, cardamom or rice noodles.