Petha

Petha is a delightful Indian dessert made from ash gourd, known for its translucent appearance and sweet flavor. This healthy version uses less sugar and incorporates natural flavors, making it a guilt-free indulgence.

Ingredients

• Ash gourd - 250 grams
• Sugar - 100 grams
• Water - 1 cup
• Cardamom powder - 1/4 teaspoon
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Pistachios (chopped) - 1 tablespoon
• Saffron strands - a pinch (optional)

Steps

1. Peel and chop the ash gourd into small cubes, removing the seeds.
2. In a saucepan, add the chopped ash gourd and cover with water. Boil for about 10 minutes until slightly tender.
3. Drain the ash gourd and set it aside to cool.
4. In the same saucepan, add sugar and 1 cup of water, stirring until the sugar dissolves to form a syrup.
5. Add the boiled ash gourd cubes to the sugar syrup and let it simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes until the gourd absorbs the syrup.
6. Stir in the cardamom powder and lemon juice, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly. Garnish with chopped pistachios and saffron strands if using.
8. Serve warm or chilled.

Nutrition

• Calories: 150
• Protein: 1 g
• Carbs: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 5 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 1 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Water: 0.25 L

Health Benefits

• Low in calories and fat, making it a great dessert option for weight management.
• Rich in hydration due to high water content in ash gourd, helping maintain body hydration.

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