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