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Amritsar petha 'good for heart and brain'
by Ravinder Singh

         Amritsar: Those who have sweet tooth but have to avoid sweets to remain healthy, can now taste Amritsar 's 'petha'. It is good for both heart and brain. "The specialty of Amritsar 's 'Petha' is that it is a healthy sweet. It is good for heart and brain. Other traditional sweets are adulterated. But this is pure, fat-free and with no artificial colouring," claims Amrinder, a seller of Amritsari petha's. "It is the purest sweetmeat and does not harm anyone and people from far off places come to buy it," he adds. Amritsar 's 'petha' is prepared at the centuries old Pethawala Bazaar in the walled city area. "Agra 's `petha' is not as crisp, whereas the 'petha' of Amritsar is. Put it in your mouth and it melts. If you try out Agra 's 'Petha', only the sugar melts while the 'petha' remains in your mouth as it not as crispy like Amritsar is," says Gurjit Singh, a manufacturer. What makes the Amritsari 'Petha' crispier is the method of its preparation. While pethas mad in other places take only a few hours to get readied, in Amritsar , it takes almost four days. The white pumpkin is cut into small pieces and soaked in lime- water for a day or two. It is then boiled and transferred to a cup of warm sugar syrup. Some rose water or kewra water is sprinkled, and the 'petha' is ready. A decade ago, there were just two varieties of 'petha', but the changing times have ushered in additional flavours. The 'petha' is available at an affordable four to six dollars per kilogram. So, on your next visit to Amritsar , don't forget to place your order for the `healthy' 'petha'.
- December 31, 2006