The nine-day festival of Navratri has come, and the celebrations have already begun – the new traditional clothes, the sweets, the music and dance, the prayers, the victory of good over evil and the spiritual act of fasting. During this time, one must strictly observe satvik food that includes fruits, milk and dairy products, no onions or garlic, no certain grains and vegetables, and no spices – all to focus on a pure and tranquil state mind required for spiritual pursuit during festivals. However, that doesn’t mean that we give up on our desserts completely. No, for here are some delectable satvik Navratri desserts to add to the sweetness in the air:
Fruit Shrikhand – Taste With Health
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A popular dessert belonging to the Gujarati/Marathi cuisine, this sweet dish is made with hung curd (or yogurt), mixed fruit puree, mango puree (amarkhand), nuts and pistachios and some saffron strands for a royal touch. Simple to prepare, soft and easily digestible, this perfect combination of sweetness and health will satisfy your hunger pangs for sure.
Sabudana Kheer – The Light And Pious Version
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When you’re fasting and can’t have rice or vermicelli, sabudana (or tapioca pearls) is your best friend. It can be prepared easily with milk and nuts, and is light and cool on the stomach. Its high starch and carbohydrate content is perfect for boosting your energy levels throughout the day and keeps you full for longer.
Kachche Kele Ki Barfi – The Gooier Goodness
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Barfi is a popular North Indian sweet with many varieties, but have you ever heard of barfi made with a raw banana? Usually made on the second day of Navaratri (which is dedicated to Goddess Brahmacharini, or Goddess Parvati when she was unmarried), the kaccha kala symbolises green, which is the color of the day.
Coconut Barfi – For The Crunch In Taste
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Spreading the day with its own sweetness, the desi coconut barfi is a light and a fantastic ending to the last meal of the day. Made with mawa, elaichi powder, sugar and topped with freshly grated coconut and nuts, this one is a treat.
Apple Crumble With Singhare Ka Atta
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Perfect for occasions when your children want something exotic and sweet, but it’s fasting time. With simple looks but great taste, apple provides their body with the necessary vitamins and minerals needed while chestnut flour satiates your stomach and ups the water content in their system – sounds sweet, right?
Kaju Katli – That Popular Royal Dessert
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A world-famous sweet made from thick milk, sugar, dry fruits, and mild spices, make this taste even more royal with some saffron strands and edible silver foil for some extra joy.
Badam Halwa – Porridge Packed With Nutrition
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With limited food options during fasting, you can make this soft, delicious and easily-digestible dessert with pureed almonds, ghee, sugar and saffron topped with cashew nuts – perfect for any festive occasion.
Coconut Til Laddoo – Munch On With The Crunch
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Motichur laddoo can move over, for now, we have coconut til laddoo! Made with extremely simple ingredients such as jaggery and sesame seeds, coat them with dessicated coconut for that extra sweetness!
Chenna Malpua – For A Mouthful Of Soft Sweetness
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Soft and sweet, this heavenly dessert will melt in your mouth with its magic. Swap all-purpose flour (maida) for chestnut flour (singhare ka atta) and you have made yourself a fasting-version of the traditional malpua!
Nine desserts for nine days, Navratri desserts and sweets have never been sweeter! Take some time out of your schedule (and involve the other family members as well) and see the smile on their faces after all the hard work!
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