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Makar Sankranti is a significant festival in Hinduism, celebrated to mark the end of Winter Solstice and the beginning of longer Sunny Days. On this day, the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn or Makara, which is observed to mark a new beginning and the ending of long and endearing winter days.
This day is particularly special for spiritual significance and is celebrated in various parts of India in different ways. In Gujarat, it is celebrated as Uttarayan whereas in Punjab it is referred to as Lohri in which people dance around the holy bonfire. While there are many ways to celebrate this auspicious festival, one particularly common thing is eating traditional food along with family and friends out in nature and experiencing the warm days coming.
Around the several customs and traditions all across India, you can find traditional foods dedicated, especially to this day. Whether it is sweet treats that represent the Sun or dishes that include the crops of First Harvest, it is the food that brings people together and adds joy to the festivities.
While the most common thing that is seen in Indian food is a generous amount of oil and ghee used in it. If you are living in the US and you want to celebrate this festival desi style while not using too much oil, here are 7 dishes that you can create oil-free and celebrate Makar Sankranti at home.
7 Oil–Free Makar Sankranti Dishes You Can Make At Home
1. Til-Gud Laddo
The hallmark sweetness of Makar Sankranti, Til Gud Laddo, is deliciously sweet and made without using even a drop of oil. This sweet has a special significance. Sesame seeds are considered seeds of immortality while in Ayurveda, Gud is regarded as the best food for boosting immunity during winter. Both of these superfoods combined are cherished as delicious and quintessential sweet for Makar Sankranti as they impart warmth to the body just like the Sun.
2. Undhiyu
Undhiyu is a speciality of Gujarat made especially on Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan. This dish fuses a bunch of hearty vegetables that signify the harmonious play of flavours and textures. With a base made of lentils, this dish is a warming and soothing meal which can be made completely oil-free. With the addition of selected vegetables like carrots, potatoes, eggplant, green peas and yams, it is made even more delightful with the addition of mild spices.
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3. Bajra Khichdi
Bajra or Pearl Millet is another first-harvest crop that serves as a nutritious and enriching meal during the winter season. The simplicity of this dish symbolises togetherness and humility. You can create its flavourful oil-free version by dry roasting the grains and using vegetable broth for cooking. With the addition of Indian spices, you can make it more delightful and savoury which will feel like a joy with every bite.
4. Makke Ki Roti with Sarso Ka Saag
Makka or Maize is also a first-harvest crop which is especially popular in Punjab. The Makke ki Roti, or maize flour flatbread, and Sarson ka Saag, or Mustard Greens Curry, is a hearty and warming combination which merges these two essential winter harvests. This dish is an important part of the Lohri meal and can be made completely oil-free with the use of a non-stick pan for cooking roti and Saag puree without oil until its rawness goes away.
5. Sattu Laddo
Sattu or roasted gram flour is a nutritious, protein-rich and warming meal. It can be used in various dishes, sweet and sour, and its addition can convert any meal into a wholesome feast. Making sweet laddoos out of this offers a nutritious dessert which can be made without the addition of any fats or oil. Even while skipping the addition of ghee, these laddoos will retain their authentic taste while being extra healthy.
6. Chikki
Gud Chikki serves as a crunchy and sweet delicacy which can be made with Peanuts, Amaranth seeds, Sesame seeds, and even Murmura or puffed rice. These crispy candies can be prepared without using any oil and the natural oils in the seeds will give an amazing symphony of roasted nutty flavours and the earthy jaggery. It can be made just by dry roasting the ingredients and using jaggery and binding agent, ensuring a delightful and guilt-free snack.
Image Credit: Freepik
7. Pinni
Pinni is another quintessential Makar Sankranti food in Punjab made with wheat flour as the base ingredient. Traditionally it is made with ghee, but in the oil-free version, ghee can be skipped and wheat flour can be roasted on its own. After roasting the flour, jaggery is added to it to bind it into small balls. This sweet has a special significance during winter months in Punjab as it provides energy and warmth to the body. The combination of these roasted ingredients creates a delightful texture which is filling and enhances vigour.
These essential Makar Sankranti delicacies are especially good as they can be made oil-free without sacrificing the authentic taste. For health-conscious individuals living in the US, these dishes are the best way to enjoy Makar Sankranti marking the season of new beginnings.
