Fasting has been an integral part of Indian culture. Navratri, one of the biggest festivals is celebrated twice a year with great enthusiasm across the country. Devotees worship different avatars of Goddess Durga for nine days. Navratri is here and a glimpse around is enough to tell us how eager we are to honour the celebration. Usually, a large part of north, west, east and central India observes fast for all nine days. Some people may choose to fast only on the first and the last day of festive duration. In India, there is a culture of preparing Navratri dishes during Fasting. Fasting is a way to pay your gratitude to the Goddess Durga.
Navratri dishes may include Sabudana, Kuttu Flour, Singhara Flour, Rajgir Flour and fruits & vegetables. During fasting, devotees avoid certain foods like non-veg food sources, eggs, standard salt and liquor. In India, fasting rules may vary from community to community. If you plan to keep fast during Navratri, check the rules of fasting as many spices and herbs are also not allowed during fasting duration.
Enjoy the Navratri festival with the 12 best Navratri dishes.
1. Sabudana Khichdi – Popular Navratri Dish
This is rich in carbohydrates, which gives you much-needed energy to boost your metabolism during fasting. Sabudana Khichdi is a light dish made with sabudana, peanuts and mild spices. Sabudana Khichdi is one such dish that no one can deny during the Navratri.
It adds soul to the entire vrat food preparation. In sabudana khichdi, you can also add ingredients such as roasted peanuts, potatoes, coriander leaves, cumin seeds, lemon juice, green chillies. Sabudana is excellent for people trying to lose weight, as it keeps you satisfied for a really long time.
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2. Samvat Khichdi
Samo Khichdi, which is prepared using Samak or Samvat Rice, is known as Barnyard Millet. This is easy to make the dish which you can enjoy as lunch.
Barnyard millet is also known as Moraira, Mordhan and Vari in various regions and thus you can quickly get it in all parts of India. This is also one of the famous Navratri dishes and also perfect for diet-conscious people as it is loaded with multiple nutritional benefits.
3. Singhara Poori – Navratri Dishes
Singhare ki poori is a gluten-free bread made from water chestnut flour with boiled and mashed potatoes. This can be consumed during fasting. Only selected flours are allowed during the Hindu fast.
And this Singhare ka atta is one of them. Singhara Flour Poori is served with Dahi Aloo meal.
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4. Dahi Aloo – Navratri Dishes
Potato is the most eaten vegetable during the Hindu fast. This is one of the quickest and easiest curry dish using potatoes. Tuck into the soothing flavours of this light and lovely curry made with the ever-so-versatile potatoes.
Move over the boring aloo ka phalahar and instead choose to eat some healthy aloo curry and make your Navratri even more special.
5. Arbi Fry
During the religious fasting tuber vegetables like potato, sweet potato, yam is allowed. Arbi is also one of them. Arbi Fry is made from boiled colocasia roots and very few spices. Mostly, people don’t like Arbi its has many health benefits.
Arbi is an excellent source of dietary fibre that keeps us full for a long time and prevents a high intake during fast.
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6. Sweet Potato Sabzi
The ingredients used are allowed during Navratri Fast, Ekadashi or any other religious fast. So this sweet potato sabzi can be consumed. Sweet potato sabzi is served with rajgira puri, singhara puri or rajgira paratha during fast.
Sweet potatoes have a lot of nutrients which are good for the body. Vitamin B6, potassium and iron which your body needs during fasting. Sweet potatoes are a good source of dietary fibre which promotes a healthy digestive tract.
7. Rajgira Paratha
Rajgira Paratha is a unique meal that is popular in every part of India. Especially in northern India, no festival is complete without the preparation of this tasty dish. you can prepare this paratha with Rajgira flour, potatoes and rock salt.
Rajgira flour is one of the most loved and consumed ingredients during Navratri and festivals. This flour is the best source of protein. This flour does not contain gluten, so potatoes act as a binding agent to make perfect parathas.
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8. Kattu Poori – Navratri Dishes
Kuttu ka atta is much easier to work with compared to Rajgir and Singhara flour. Kuttu or buckwheat generates warmth in your body, so it is advisable to serve this dish with yoghurt on the side.
Because yoghurt provides cooling to your body. Crispy, hot and as tasty as regular pooris, Kuttu or buckwheat flour is the perfect alternative during the fasting season of Navratri. It is easy and just takes about 15-20 minutes to cook and can be paired with any Sabzi.
9. Sabudana Tikki – Navratri Dishes
Many devotees of Mata rani observe the fast during Navratri. You can make this Sabudana Tikki as a snack. Sabudana and Potatoes are most commonly and widely used ingredients in this Tikki.
Apart from these two, only flavouring ingredients like salt, pepper, sugar, lemon juice and chillies are present in this dish. These Sabudana Tikki are slightly crispy from outside and very soft from the inside.
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10. Apple Halwa
Apple Halwa is a traditional North Indian cuisine and is a flavourful sweet dish that you can make for festivals like Navratri. This popular dessert is made with the help of apple, milk and dry fruits and is truly delicious and healthy.
The best part of apple halwa is that it is not a heavy dessert as no milk, cream, khoya are present in this halwa. It is also suitable for kids who don’t like an apple. This apple halwa has many nutritional values.
11. Banana Cutlets
Banana Cutlets are quite famous and made during Navratri. You can prepare these cutlets with raw Bananas, Potatoes and Rajgir Flour, Rock Salt along with an array of spices. Fresh bananas are very rich in vitamins and fibre and regulate blood pressure along with boosting the metabolism.
During fasting, you can take these cutlets with a cup of tea or juice. These cutlets are great ways to remain nourished during fasting times when hunger can be difficult to control.
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12. Makhana Kheer
This Makhane Kheer is a phalahari kheer that is suitable for Navratri fasting or regular fasting days. The method of making this makhana kheer is similar to other kheers. It is an effortless yet delicious and healthy kheer recipe, you can also enjoy this kheer on your regular days. This kheer provides enough energy during the fast. Makhana or foxnuts are very healthy and easily digestible.
During fasting, we mostly eat Potatoes or Khichdi of Sabudana regularly, which is full of carbohydrates. So it is essential to balance our diet by including makhana or dried fruits or nuts or fresh fruits.
So we have mentioned enough Navratri dishes which you can also utilise in Sawan Month and other festivals of India. Lets us know which one you like the most!!!
