Boil the milk and cook the grated and squeezed ash gourd in the milk. (I did it in a pressure cooker, so that by the time the ash gourd cooks the milk also thickens).
Mix the saffron in a little milk and add to the cooked ash gourd. Mix the food color also in a little milk and add to the cooked ash gourd.
In a heavy bottomed pan, heat 2 tbsp. of ghee and saute the cooked ash gourd in it for 5 minutes,
Add the sugar and keep stirring until all the sugar is absorbed and the mixture starts leaving the sides of the pan.
Add one tbsp. of ghee and mix well.
Add the cardomom powder and remove from the stove.
Heat the remaining ghee in a pan and add the cashew nuts and raisins.
When the cashew nuts turn light pink in color pour onto the halwa