Ash Gourd (पेठा / सफेद कद्दू (Petha))

Ash Gourd is a very simple and cooling vegetable that we often see in Indian markets during the hot months. It has a tough, ash-colored waxy skin and a crisp white flesh inside that is mostly water. In my kitchen, I find it incredibly versatile because it doesn't have a strong flavor of its own, so it takes on the taste of whatever you cook it with. It is famous for being the main ingredient in the translucent sweet 'Petha' from Agra. Many people also enjoy it as a fresh morning juice because it feels very light on the stomach. It is a humble vegetable that stays fresh for a long time even without refrigeration if the skin is intact. I always keep one around for making a comforting curry or a cooling drink.