With the onset of the monsoons in India, the fasting period of Shravan or Sawan commences, as the rain showers intensify. Also a religious practice observed by Hindus, where certain types of food are sworn off of, the month is usually meant to be a time of observing fast and eating food that is simple, nourishing and made with minimal seasonal ingredients. What this also helps with, is to give your body some rest from the indulgent eating, while also helping get your weight under control. However, simplicity does not always mean boring or lacklustre food – but drawing a balance between what you’d like to eat and moderating those cravings. For all the people with a sweet tooth, here are some falahari sweets to enjoy during the month of fasting.
Narali Ladu
Toasty coconut soaked in a sugar syrup and rolled into laddoos, is the ultimate Maharashtrian sawan treat. Made with a combination of freshly grated and desiccated coconut, these laddoos are a great mid-morning snack or an energy-boosting bite to have when you experience a slump during the course of the day.
Sitaphal Basundi
Image Credits: CookingWithSmita
The perfect way to end a meal after fasting, the sitaphal basundi is perfect to satiate all sweet cravings. This delicious, custard apple-based milk sweet is extremely simple to prepare and tastes best when served or eaten chilled. Garnish with a few pieces of dry rose petals and some pistachios for colour and texture.
Lahori Gajhar
Image Credits: aharam
This Sindhi preparation of sweet potatoes cooked in a jaggery syrup can be enjoyed even as part of your vrat meals. Almost candied in its nature, the soft and fluffy slices of sweet potatoes are cooked in a cardamom-flavoured jaggery syrup until tender, and are best enjoyed while still hot. Also packed with nutrition and fibre, this gajhar is the perfect sweet dish for days when grain-abstinence is observed.
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Falhari Malpua
Made with upwas aata and no eggs, this Sawan twist on everyone’s favourite Indian dessert is worth trying! Crispy on the edges and lacy in appearance, this version of malpua possesses the same kind of richness that its regular counterpart does. Pair with a mildly sweet basundi or pour over some cold malai rabdi, for the ultimate treat of indulgence.
Kuttu Aata Nankhatai
A delicious accompaniment to your cup of tea or coffee, these cookies made with buckwheat flour have a mellow nuttiness that is hard to miss. Completely gluten-free and dairy-free, nankhatai is a classic Indian tea time biscuit, and this buckwheat variation holds a higher nutritional value compared to the ones made with refined flour. Add a touch of cardamom or vanilla to scent these cookies.
Singhare Ka Halwa
Flipping the aate ka halwa on its head, this chestnut flour halwa is buttery and just sweet enough for all your sugar cravings. A popular preparation in Indian kitchens during auspicious occasions, the singhare ka halwa is eaten especially during times when fasting is part of traditional rituals. Due to its high carbohydrate content, eating a small cup of this halwa at breakfast or during the day, keeps you feeling fuller for a longer time.
Lauki Ka Kheer
A healthy dessert recipe that also packs in loads of fibre and nutrition, this cooling kheer is a must-have to cool the body after a period of fasting. Since abstaining from food for long hours gets the body to burn up fat reserves, thereby increasing internal body temperatures, the lauki ka kheer is the perfect coolant to feed yourself, in order to restore balance and avoid acidity or bloating.