Peda

Peda
Dessert, prasad
Dharwad peda
Alternative name(s):
Pera, Penda
Place of origin:
India, Nepal
Region or state:
Gujarat (India)
Main ingredient(s):
Khoya, sugar
Recipes at Wikibooks:
Peda
Media at Wikimedia Commons:
Peda

Peda, Pheda or Pera (Gujarati: પેંડા, Kannada: ಪೇಡ, Hindi/Nepali: पेड़ा, pronounced [ˈpeːɽaː], Marathi: पेढा, Urdu: پیڑا) is a sweet from the Indian subcontinent, usually prepared in thick, semi-soft pieces. The main ingredients are khoa, sugar and traditional flavorings, including cardamom seeds, pistachio nuts and saffron. The colour varies from a creamy white to a caramel colour. The word pera is also generically used to mean a blob of any doughy substance, such as flour or (in the case of the sweet) khoa.

Origin of Peda may be credited to the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, and the variety from the city of Mathura in that state was considered to be the best.^[1] Simultaneously, another origin, practice of Peda making, some unique varieties, and spread of this tradition may be attributed to the province of Saurashtra of Gujarat and its centers like Sihor, Rajkot, Palitana and Bhavnagar as well. Tradition and practice of Peda making can be traced back to late 1800s in Sihor while it picking up momentum in 20th century. Along with Rajkot and Bhavnagar now, there are several distinct varieties of Peda, originating from different centres of Saurashtra (region). In Gujarat, Pedas are called and pronounced as Penda : પેંડા

From Uttar Pradesh, the peda has spread to many parts of the Indian subcontinent. It was even taken and established in the district of Dharwad in Karnataka state in south India by Ram Ratan Singh from Lucknow, who migrated there in the 1850s.^[2] This distinct variety is now famous as the Dharwad pedha. Satari Kandi Peda from Satara also famous in the western Maharashtra.

As with laddoos, pedas are sometimes used as prasad in religious services.

See also

• petha

References