Bela Pana Recipe | Wood Apple Squash

Bela Pana, also known as "Bel ka Sharbat" is a traditional Indian drink made from the pulp of the Bel fruit (Aegle marmelos). It's often prepared during the festive occasion of Odia New Year (Pana Sankranti) in the state of Odisha, India. This drink is not only delicious but also has many health benefits. Here's how you can make Bela Pana:

Ingredients of Bela Panna Recipe:

• 1 ripe Bel fruit
• Sugar (to taste)
• Water
• Roasted cumin powder
• Black salt (kala namak)
• Mint leaves for garnishing
• Ice cubes

Instructions of making Bela Panna:

1. Break open the Bel fruit (Aegle marmelos): Use a heavy knife to crack open the hard shell of the ripe Bel fruit. The fruit will contain segments of pulp and seeds.

2. Remove the pulp: Scoop out the segments of pulp from inside the fruit. You can do this using a spoon or your hands. Discard the seeds and any hard fibers.

3. Prepare the pulp: Take the collected pulp and put it in a bowl. Add a bit of water and use your hands to mash and separate the pulp from any remaining fibers. This can be a bit messy, but it's an essential step to extract the goodness of the fruit.

4. Strain the pulp: Once you have a relatively smooth pulp, strain it through a fine mesh strainer or a muslin cloth to remove any remaining fibers or coarse bits. Collect the strained liquid in a bowl.

5. Sweeten and flavor: Add sugar to the strained pulp liquid, adjusting the sweetness to your taste. Start with a smaller amount and then add more if needed. Also, add a pinch of roasted cumin powder and black salt for flavor.

6. Mix and chill: Stir the mixture well until the jaggery or sugar dissolves completely. You can add water to dilute the mixture to your desired consistency. Keep in mind that the drink will be served over ice, so you might want it slightly stronger in flavor. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for a while.

7. Serve: To serve, pour the chilled Bela Pana into glasses filled with ice cubes. Garnish with mint leaves for a refreshing touch.

8. Enjoy: Your homemade Bela Pana is ready to be enjoyed! This unique and nutritious drink is not only tasty but also helps in keeping the body cool during hot weather.

Note: Bel fruit can have a strong aroma and unique taste, so the flavor of Bela Pana can be an acquired taste for some. Adjust the sweetness and other flavors to suit your preferences.

Country of origin- India

State- Orissa