One of the most well-known festivals in India is Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, which marks the birth of Lord Ganesha. As a sign of their love and devotion to Lord Ganesha on this auspicious occasion, devotees present him with a variety of sweets and treats. This is also because Lord Ganesha is known to have a sweet tooth and love for all things delicious.
In recent years, there has been an increase in nutrition and health awareness, which has caused traditional recipes to use more wholesome and nutritious ingredients. Millets, a grain that is very nutrient-dense, have therefore made an appearance on the festive menu. Take a look at these seven mouth-watering mithai (sweets) recipes for Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 using millets as the main ingredient.
Jowar Modak/Jonna Pindi Kodumulu
Modak, the absolute favourite of Ganesha is a sweet which is very versatile and can be made tasty and healthy at the same time. Jowar modak features Jowar or sorghum, which is a gluten-free millet. The healthy and fiberlicious Jowar Modak is filled with a mixture of grated coconut, jaggery, cardamom, and some dry fruits like almonds, cashews, pistachios, etc. Jowar Modak is a wholesome and healthy alternative to the regular modaks which are delicious but high in calories at the same time.
Ragi Coconut Laddoo
Ragi Coconut Laddoo is one of the most delectable and healthy laddoos to be enjoyed in Ganesh Chaturthi without feeling any type of guilt. Ragi is high in calcium and fiber and coconuts have an amazing flavour. So try these Ragi Coconut Laddoos if you want the perfect balance of flavour as well as nutrition in your sweet treats. For making these, you don’t have to follow any complex recipe. Just mix the ragi flour with grated coconut, jaggery powder, and a bit of ghee to bind the laddoos properly.
Bajra Barfi
Bajra is known to have a high protein content and thus really very nutritious. For making Bajra barfis, bajra flour is combined with ghee, condensed milk, elaichi, and some saffron threads to give it a great taste and aroma. Bajra Barfis can then be shaped into square or diamonds. This bajra barfi is a yummy treat for your taste buds and health at the same time.
Foxtail Millet Kheer
Foxtail Millet Kheer is a very fiberlicious as well as super-healthy and tasty sweet dish to be made in festivals. It is a creamy and wholesome treat which is made with foxtail millets, sugar, milk, cardamom and chopped nuts and saffron.
Jowar Puranpoli
Puranpoli is among the most famous sweets of Maharashtra but it is very high in calories and fats because of the ingredients that are used to make it. But Jowar Puranpoli can be a healthy dessert for festivals because of the nutrient-richness of Jowar. The filling of Puranpoli can also be made with healthy ingredients like jaggery, chana dal, and cardamom and the puranpoli can be cooked in ghee. A unique variation and modification in the regular puranpoli.
Millet Kesari
Millet kesari is a flavorful and aromatic halwa made from millet flour, ghee, sugar, and fragrant cardamom. The goodness of millets is combined with the indulgence of an old-fashioned Indian sweet to create a delightful dessert.
Ragi Oats Laddoo
These nutritious laddoos combine ragi and oats. Ragi flour, rolled oats, jaggery, and a tiny bit of ghee are combined to make ragi oats laddoos. They are a wonderful source of energy in addition to being delicious.
This year's Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations feature a special fusion of tradition and nutrition thanks to the inclusion of millets in the sweets.
Millets are a great option for people looking to maintain a balanced diet even during the holiday season because they are gluten-free, packed with vital nutrients, and have a lower glycemic index than refined grains. In addition to honoring tradition, making these millet-based mithais to give to Lord Ganesha or enjoy with friends and family encourages people to make healthier food choices. These recipes provide a delightful twist on the classic desserts, making sure that your celebration is not only happy but also healthy.