Searching for petha in Los Angeles? You'll find both kinds at Anoras Cash N Carry in the Fairfax District — fresh petha, the pale green-white ash gourd (safed kaddu) sold by the pound, and Bikano Dry Petha, the famous translucent Agra sweet. That double meaning trips a lot of people up: petha is a vegetable and a mithai, named for the same gourd. Here's what each one is, how to pick and cook the fresh gourd, and where to grab petha near you.

What is petha?

Petha is the Hindi name for ash gourd — also called white pumpkin, winter melon, safed kaddu, or kushmanda. It's a big, pale, waxy-skinned gourd with soft white flesh and a very mild, almost neutral flavor. On its own it tastes clean and slightly cooling, which is exactly why it works in so many dishes: it soaks up whatever spice, sweetness, or tang you cook it with.

The confusing part is that the most famous thing made from ash gourd shares its name. Agra's signature sweet — candied, syrup-soaked cubes of the same gourd — is also called petha. So when someone says "petha," they might mean the raw vegetable for a sabzi, or the sugary treat you eat after dinner. We carry both.

Takeaway: petha the gourd and petha the sweet come from one plant — ash gourd — so check whether a recipe wants the fresh vegetable or the candy.

Is ash gourd and winter melon the same as petha?

Yes. Ash gourd, winter melon, white pumpkin, safed kaddu, and petha are all names for the same vegetable, Benincasa hispida. The "ash" refers to the chalky, powdery coating mature gourds grow on their skin, which helps them keep for months. You'll see it in South Indian kootu and sambar, North Indian sabzi and halwa, and all across East and Southeast Asian soups. If a recipe calls for any of those names, our fresh Petha (ash gourd) by the pound is what you want.

Takeaway: don't second-guess the label — if it says ash gourd, winter melon, or safed kaddu, it's petha.

How do you pick and store fresh petha?

Choose a gourd that feels heavy for its size with firm, unblemished skin — a little of that natural ashy bloom is a good sign of freshness, not a flaw. Since a whole ash gourd is large, we sell petha by the pound so you can take just the wedge you need. A cut piece keeps in the fridge, wrapped, for about a week; a whole uncut gourd can sit in a cool, dry spot for weeks. Before cooking, peel off the thick skin, scoop out the seedy center, and cube the firm white flesh.

Takeaway: buy only the amount you'll cook, keep cut pieces wrapped and chilled, and peel plus de-seed before you start.

How do you cook petha (ash gourd)?

Because the flavor is so mild, petha is a blank canvas. Three reliable ways to use it:

Everyday sabzi. Sauté cubed ash gourd with hing, cumin, turmeric, and green chili until just tender — light, quick, and easy on the stomach. It plays well alongside heavier dishes, the same way other mild gourds like opo (lauki / bottle gourd) do.

South Indian kootu and sambar. Simmer it with toor dal, coconut, and a tempering of mustard seeds and curry leaves. Ash gourd holds its shape and takes on the dal's flavor beautifully.

Petha halwa and juice. Grate and slow-cook the gourd with ghee, milk, and a sweetener for a soft halwa, or juice the raw flesh for the cooling ash gourd juice that's popular in Ayurvedic kitchens. If you're sweetening a halwa, our guide to jaggery (gur) covers which type melts best.

Takeaway: start with a simple hing-and-cumin sabzi this week — it's the fastest way to see how forgiving petha is.

What is Agra ka petha, the sweet?

Agra ka petha is one of India's most beloved sweets — cubes of ash gourd soaked in sugar syrup until they turn soft, translucent, and lightly chewy, with a delicate sugary crust. Dry petha has a firmer bite; the angoori and syrupy styles are juicier. It comes plain or flavored with rose, saffron, or paan, and it's a melt-in-the-mouth treat that travels well, which is why it's a classic gift. We stock Bikano Dry Petha 400g, the ready-to-eat version — no need to candy a whole gourd at home. You'll find it alongside the rest of our Sweets & Chocolates aisle.

Takeaway: if you want the sweet and not the vegetable, reach for Bikano Dry Petha — it's the Agra classic, boxed and ready to share.

Where can you buy petha near me in Los Angeles?

Come by Anoras Cash N Carry at 567 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036, open daily from 10 AM to 9 PM. We keep fresh petha in our Fresh Produce section — right next to sister gourds like kadu (pumpkin / squash) and ridge gourd (turai) — and the Agra sweet in our mithai aisle. We're in the Fairfax District, an easy trip from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Mid-Wilshire, Culver City, and Koreatown.

Can't make it in? We deliver within a 10-mile radius from 10 AM to 8 PM — $35.97 minimum order, $7.98 delivery, and free over $99. If you're outside our delivery area, order online for free in-store pickup with no minimum, usually ready in about an hour. Questions about a size or a specific brand? Call us at 323-272-3617, or browse the rest of the Anoras Cash N Carry shelves.

Takeaway: for both kinds of petha near you in LA — the fresh gourd and the Agra sweet — Anoras Cash N Carry has them in one stop, in store, delivered, or ready for free pickup.

Frequently asked questions about petha

Is petha a fruit or a vegetable?

Petha (ash gourd) is a vegetable — a gourd in the same family as pumpkin and squash. It's cooked savory in sabzis, kootu, and sambar, and also candied into the sweet that shares its name.

Is petha and ash gourd the same thing?

Yes. Petha is the Hindi name for ash gourd, also called winter melon, white pumpkin, and safed kaddu. They are all the same vegetable.

What is Agra petha made of?

Agra petha is made from ash gourd cubes cooked in sugar syrup until translucent and soft. It comes in dry, syrupy, and flavored styles like rose, saffron, and paan.

How do you cook fresh petha?

Peel the skin, scoop out the seeds, and cube the white flesh. Sauté it into a mild sabzi with hing and cumin, simmer it in kootu or sambar, or slow-cook it into halwa.

Where can I buy petha near me in Los Angeles?

Anoras Cash N Carry at 567 S Fairfax Ave stocks fresh petha by the pound and Bikano Dry Petha sweet. Shop in store daily 10 AM–9 PM, get local delivery, or choose free in-store pickup.