India is the land of festivals, and every festival has its own different features and modes of celebration. One of the most common things among all the festivals is the plate filled with varieties of delicious food. The upcoming festival is Sharad Navratri, the most anticipated one. Starting on October 15 and ending on October 23, Navratri 2023 promises to be a vibrant and spiritual event.
The festival is dedicated to celebrating the nine forms of Goddess Durga. During this auspicious period, devotees across India and various parts of the world come together to pay homage to the divine feminine energy, seeking blessings and spiritual enlightenment. It is a time of joy, devotion, and community, where people adorn themselves in colourful attire and enjoy the festive atmosphere while honouring the goddess Durga's triumph over evil forces.
The festival concludes with Dussehra, symbolising the victory of good over evil, when effigies of the demon king Ravana are burned, signifying the triumph of Lord Rama over evil forces. During the nine days, devotees across India observe fats, pray, and follow a vegetarian diet, also known as Vrat food. In many households, the diet excludes onions and garlic, emphasising pure and satvik cuisine.
Navratri Fasting And Food
During Navratri fasting, the devotees consume a variety of ingredients, including fruits, sago, water chestnut flour, buckwheat flour, milk, curd, paneer, and milk products. Regular salt is replaced by rock salt in these dishes. Apart from these dishes, traditional recipes can be cooked so that fasting doesn’t leave you hungry.
Let’s explore a wide range of Vrat foods that can be consumed during this nine-day festival:
- Kuttu Puri
Made from kuttu flour, which is derived from buckwheat grains, these puris are a gluten-free alternative to regular wheat-based puris and are suitable for those observing vrat. To prepare kuttu puri, kuttu flour is combined with mashed potatoes, spices, and sometimes water chestnut flour to form a pliable dough. This dough is then rolled into small rounds and deep-fried until they puff up and turn golden brown. Kuttu puris are typically served with a variety of fasting-friendly side dishes like potato curry or yoghurt-based accompaniments.
- Rajgira Kadhi
It is a variation of the traditional kadhi, a yoghurt-based curry, with a twist. Instead of using besan, rajgira flour, which is derived from amaranth seeds, is used as the thickening agent. To make rajgira kadhi, yoghurt is mixed with rajgira flour, water, and a blend of spices, then simmered until it forms a creamy and flavorful sauce. This kadhi is often garnished with cumin seeds, green chilies, and curry leaves to enhance its taste. Rajgira kadhi is not only delicious but also provides a good source of nutrition during fasting, making it a popular choice among those observing vrat.
- Aloo Rasedar
This curry dish features tender chunks of potatoes cooked in a spiced tomato-based gravy. It is a popular vegetarian dish known for its simplicity and delicious taste. To prepare Aloo Rasedar, potatoes are peeled, diced, and then simmered in a gravy made from tomatoes, onions, and a blend of aromatic spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chilli powder. The result is a rich and slightly tangy curry with a mild heat, making it a favourite in Indian households. It is well accompanied by Kuttu puri or roti.
- Sabudana Khichdi
It is primarily made from sabudana, also known as tapioca pearls, which are soaked and then sautéed with a combination of ingredients like peanuts, cumin seeds, green chilies, and potatoes. This dish offers a unique texture, with the sabudana turning translucent and becoming soft after soaking.
The inclusion of peanuts adds a delightful crunch, while the spices infuse the khichdi with a flavourful, mildly spicy taste. Sabudana Khichdi is not only delicious but also a great source of energy and sustenance during fasting due to its high carbohydrate content. It is usually garnished with fresh coriander leaves and served with a side of yoghurt or a glass of cooling buttermilk.
- Kaddu Ki Sabzi
This dish features chunks of tender pumpkin cooked in spiced gravy, making it a nutritious and flavorful addition to meals. To prepare Kaddu ki Sabzi, pumpkin pieces are simmered in a sauce made from ingredients like tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a blend of aromatic spices such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric. The result is a savoury and mildly sweet curry that perfectly balances the natural sweetness of the pumpkin with the spices. Kaddu ki Sabzi is often served with roti.
- Kabab e Kela
Kabab e Kela, also known as banana kebab, is a unique and flavorful vegetarian dish often prepared during vrat days . To prepare Kabab e Kela, ripe bananas are mashed and combined with a mix of spices, herbs, and often breadcrumbs or gram flour to bind the mixture. The resulting dough-like mixture is shaped into small kebabs or patties, which are then shallow- or deep-fried until they turn golden brown and crispy on the outside. These banana kebabs are known for their sweet and savoury flavour profile, with the natural sweetness of the bananas complemented by the spices and herbs.
- Paneer Roll
This vegetarian vrat special paneer roll combines the rich and creamy texture of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) with a medley of spices and vegetables, all wrapped in a soft, thin flatbread like a roti or paratha. To prepare a paneer roll, paneer is typically marinated in a mixture of yoghurt and spices, often including ingredients like ginger, red chilli powder, and garam masala, to infuse it with a burst of flavors. They are then pan-fried and wrapped in a flatbread.