1: ash gourd or petha 500g (peel, deseed, cut in thick chunks)
2: water 1 liter (for syrup)
3: sugar 500g
4: rose water 3tbs
5: limestone 2tbs (chuna)
6: sugar 1cup
7 : water 1/4 cup
1: peel the ash gourd, deseed it and cut in thick chunks, then with a fork prick each side very well.
2: in a bowl add enough water so that the ash gourd gets coverd, but first mix the limestone and water very well then add the pieces and leave it for good 5 hours.
3: after 5 hours wash it under the tap water very well, and on a tea towel spread each piece and let it dry over night.
4: the next day, in a pan add water 1 liter, sugar 500g on high flame dissolve the sugar and onlow to medium flame cook the syrup for 10 minutes then add the ash gourd pieces and cook on low to medium flame till they get soft and transparent for 20 to 25 minutes, or till the water drys.
5: then take it out from the pan and put the rose water on the ash gourd pieces and keep aside.
6: next to give a crispy coating to the ash gourd you have to add sugar 1cup, water 1/4 cup in a pan and cook on low flame till gets thick, keep stirring, once it gets thick add the ash gourd in it and mix well.
7: then take them out of the thick syrup and let it dry again over night.
8: now serve your homemade petha, enjoy :)