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Bela pana

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A cooling drink of ripe bael (wood apple) pulp, curd, jaggery and spices, made for Pana Sankranti, the Odia New Year.

Region: OdishaOccasion: Pana Sankranti / Maha Vishuba Sankranti (mid-April) and summerTime: 20 minServes: 4Vegetarian

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe bael fruit
  • 4 cups water
  • ½ cup curd
  • ½ cup grated jaggery or to taste
  • ½ cup chhena (optional)
  • 1 ripe banana, mashed
  • 2 tbsp grated coconut
  • ½ tsp black pepper, crushed
  • ¼ tsp cardamom powder

Method

  1. Break the bael, scoop out the pulp and soak it in 2 cups water for 15 minutes.
  2. Mash well with your hands and strain to remove seeds and fibres.
  3. Whisk in the remaining water, curd and jaggery until it dissolves.
  4. Add the mashed banana, chhena, coconut, pepper and cardamom and mix.
  5. Chill and serve.

History

Pana Sankranti, also called Maha Vishuba Sankranti, marks the Odia New Year in mid-April.

Significance

On this day families offer pana to deities and to the tulsi plant, and share it with neighbours and passers-by to beat the summer heat.

Sources