Diwali 2024: 6 Creative Ways To Use Walnuts For Your Recipes

By Ujjainee Roy

October 29, 2024

Walnuts are a fantastic ingredient to elevate your Diwali treats, adding richness, texture, and a delightful nutty flavor to both traditional and modern dishes. They’re loaded with healthy fats, antioxidants, and protein, making them a nutritious addition to festive feasts. Beyond their health benefits, walnuts also bring a satisfying crunch that pairs well with both savory and sweet flavors. Here are a few creative ways to incorporate walnuts into your Diwali recipes.

Walnut stuffed modak

Add a twist to traditional modak by stuffing them with finely chopped walnuts, coconut, and a hint of jaggery. The nutty texture and earthy flavor of walnuts blend beautifully with the soft, steamed rice flour shell, giving the modak a delightful crunch with every bite.

Walnut-crusted tikki

Transform your classic aloo or paneer tikkis by coating them in a walnut crust. Crush the walnuts coarsely and press them onto the surface of the tikkis before shallow-frying. The walnut crust adds a delightful crunch and a nutty, buttery taste, perfect for an appetizer with a bit of festive flair.

Walnut chutney

Surprise your guests with a walnut-based chutney! Blend walnuts with fresh herbs like mint, coriander, green chilies, and a hint of garlic. This creamy, tangy chutney pairs perfectly with dosas, kebabs, or samosas and brings a unique twist to the table.

Walnut barfi

Make your traditional burfi richer by adding ground walnuts into the mixture. Substitute part of the usual cashews or almonds with walnuts, which will lend a softer texture and a mild, nutty flavor. Garnish with a walnut on top for an added touch of elegance.

Walnut and rose phirni

Add ground walnuts to your phirni for an elevated texture and nutty flavor. Mix in a hint of rose water, and top the phirni with chopped walnuts and rose petals for a festive and aromatic treat that’s both creamy and crunchy.

Walnut and saffron kheer

For a delightful take on kheer, add a generous handful of chopped walnuts along with saffron strands. The richness of the walnuts pairs perfectly with the creamy milk and the aromatic saffron, creating a luxurious dessert that’s perfect for festive gatherings.