Winter Melon Panakam

 

Summer special….  quik and easy Ash gourd/winter melon panakam. Panakam is a natural coolant prepared during rama navami. But traditionally in southern part they use only karupatti(palm jaggery), tamarind and water to make panakam. We can use coconut water or plain water to make it. But to make the recipe even more cool and healthy I used pumpkin here, because its tooooooooooooo hot out here 😱. Please stay hydrated!

Benefits of ash gourd/winter melon/vellai poosani:

Aids in weight loss. Keeps stomach free of ulcer and provides natural glow to skin and hair. 

Winter Melon Panakam

Cuisine: Indian 

Category: Beverage/Juice/Drink

Serves: 2

Prep time: 5 mins

Ingredients needed:

4 cups of ash guard ( I used the left over part of the ash gourd with seeds and flesh we don’t use for cooking)

½ of a medium sized cucumber(optional)

2 tbsp Jaggery/honey(I used jaggery)

1 tbsp ginger/1 “ginger piece(if you want more spicy then adjust but more of it might give out bitterness)

1 tsp cardamom powder

Fistful of fresh mint leaves

1 ½ - 2 cups water or ice cubes

To make the juice:

1.Put all the ingredients in the juicer/mixer and grind.

2. Filter the juice.

Serve immediately.

Note:

I prepared this juice with the seeds of ash gourd due to its benefits but you can omit and just use the plain flesh.

The juice forms residue by time but its completely okay.

Just have it fresh to relish the full taste.

Adding lemon juice should enhance the flavor.