Fasting is a common practice in India. Along with Vasant and Sharad Navratri, there are many other festivals and holy days like Krishna Janmaashthami, Shivratri, Ekadashi, etc when people keep fasts. For these special days, people eat sendha namak/rock salt instead of regular salt. People do not eat any lentils, rice or wheat, spices etc...Usually people eat fruits, dry fruits, milk yogurt and some specific vegetables. In different parts of India various kind of delicacies are made for these days.

There are a variety of things eaten on fasting days such as singhara, kutu, potatoes, sabudana, fruits etc.

Sendha Namak- Sendha namak is also called as rock salt ( Amazon Link). While regular table salt/sea salt comes from sea, sendha namak comes from mountain rocks and there is usually little to no chemical treatment done. Sendha namak is used for fasts because of its purity. This salt is less salty than the regular one and has less amount of sodium and it is not iodized either.

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Light and healthy Meal for Fasting

• Arbi ke Kebab

  Arbi is an edible root, also known as arabi, ghuiyan, toro, or colocasia. It is easily available worldwide. The leaves of arbi are also know as elephant ear. The word kebab has come from Mughal period in India. Traditionally Kebab is associated with meat preparations - but this is a phalahari version of Kebab...

  

• Raw Banana Cutlets

  Raw bananas are rich in dietary fibers, carbohydrates, and also in vitamins C and B6. Bananas are one of the best sources for potassium. Raw bananas do not have natural sugars like ripened bananas. Raw bananas can be easily found in grocery stores. Bananas are usually eaten in most fasts in India......

  

• Phalahari Thalipeeth

  Thalipeeth is a very popular Variety of Maharashtrian Bread. It is a savory preparation looks like a pancake. Here we are making a Phalahari ( fast special) version of Thalipeeth. This is a hearty, healthy and easy to make dish for fast. I have used soaked sago, water chestnut (singhoda) flour....

  

• Singhare Ki Namkeen Burfi

  Singhara, also known as water chestnut, is rich in carbohydrate, starch , vitamin B6, riboflavin etc. In India they are eaten raw as a fruit, and also boiled. Therte are plenty of delicacies made out og Singhara flour. Singharas are most commonly used in delicacies made for fasting days. This is a low calorie delicacy of Singhara flour...

  

• Sabudana Pulav

  Sabudana or sago is a very good source of carbohydrate, and is also eaten during the days of fasting. There is a variety of dishes made out of Sabudana/ Sago like sabudana papad, sabudana kheer, sabudana vadas etc. Here we are going to make sabudana pulav......

  

• Kuttu Aloo ki Sabji

  Kuttu is one of the grains that is considered as pure and is eaten during fasting days. There is a variety of delicacies made out of kuttu flour. This is an easy to make potato and kuttu flour curry preparation. You can also replace kuttu with singhara flour if you wish to......

  

• Kuttu Ke Parathe

  Kuttu is one of the grains that is considered as pure and is eaten during fasting days. There is a variety of delicacies made out of kuttu flour. In India kuttu grain itself is available but in western world you will only get kuttu flour. Kuttu is very warm in tendency (tasir) and should be eaten with yogurt (dahi). Kuttu ke parathe are pan fried breads, that can be served....

  

• Cucumber Potato and Peanut Salad

  Cucumbers are available all around the year and they are coolant, delicious and healthy. Cucumber is usually eaten in most of the families in fast days.In this recipe, cucumber is paired with potato which is high in carbohydrate, and it also has peanuts which is good source of protein....

  

• Fruit Salad With Strawberry Glaze

  This is a delicious fruit salad preparation. You can select the fruits based on whatever is available in your part of world. The strawberry glaze gives a wonderful taste to this fruit salad. Try out this delicious salad and don't forget to write your comments.....

  

• Fruit Salad in Yogurt Dressing

  A very delicious and healthy fruit salad - this salad provides vitamins, calcium, and other nutrients by using ingredients recommended for fasting. Fruits selection can be altered as per taste and availability. ....

  

• Samo Rice

  Sama/ Samo rice one of the food eaten during the fasting days in India. These rice grains are smaller in comparison to any other rice grain, and look somewhere between semolina and daliya (broken wheat), or may be couscous… This recipe is for a savory preparation of samo rice. Note that different families have different traditions for fasting days - For example ....

  

• Phalahari Bhel

  Peanuts are good source of Protein; they are rich in magnesium, copper and iron too. And makhane (puffed eurale ferox) are rich in carbohydrate. A very simple recipe to make phalahari bhel at home with nice combination of crispies. Note that this recipe does not contain Bhel/Layya or puffed rice-...

  

• Phalhari Chutney

  This is a special preparation for chutney for fasting days. Sendha namak ( special salt for the days of fasting ) has been used to make this chutney . This chutney can be served with sabudana cutlet, kuttu ke pakore or any phalhari snack. This chutney is a good source of iron, calcium and vitamin C...

  

• Grape Chutney

  Grape Chutney is an easy to make, very healthy, and delicious Chutney. This phalahari chutney recipe is an adapted version of Master chef Sanjeev Kapoor's "Angoor aur Khajur Ki Chutney". This chutney can be served with Phalahari Thalipeeth, Sabudana Vada, or any other snack during the fast...

  

• Cucumber Potato Salad

  Cucumbers are available all around the year and they are coolant, delicious and healthy. Cucumber is usually eaten in most of the families in fast days. This cucumber and potato salad is specially made for days of fasting . This salad is light, tasty, and of course healthy and it is completely vegan also..

  

• Vrat ke Aloo

  Potato is considered as king of all the vegetables. Everyone just love it! Potatoes are usually eaten in the days of fasting in most of the families in India. This is a very simple and easy potato recipe for the fast...

  

• Vrat ki Lauki

  Lauki , doodhi, squash or bottle gourd is a very healthy vegetable. Laukii has 90% water and is one of the lightest vegetable and good for fasting days. This is mother in laws recipe. Shen make vrat ki lauki with kuttu ke paratha (buckwheat pan fried bread) . Please check your family tradition if lauki is eaten in your family in fast...

  

• Roasted Peanuts

  LPeanuts are good source of protein and they are rich in magnesium, copper and iron too. Peanuts are also called as groundnuts in India. These nuts are usually allowed in most of the fasts (vrat) in India. This is a very simple recipe of roasted peanuts. You can use these roasted peanuts in many other delicacies. ...

  

• Singhare ke cheele

  Singhara, also known as water chestnut, is rich in carbohydrate, starch , vitamin B6, riboflavin etc. In India they are eaten raw, and also boiled. Singharas are most commonly used in delicacies made for fasting days. During this time of year fresh Singhare are easily available in India but singhara flour can be found in grocery stores all around the year....

  

• Dahi Ke Aloo

  Dahi ke aloo/ potatoes in yogurt/curd is a yummy preparation, goes with kuttu and singhate ke cheele or poori.Yogurt is a good coolant and helps in the digestion of kuttu and singhara delicacies as they are hot in tendency (tasir). Yogurt is more commonly known as curds in India. In Hindi we call it दही (dahi).....

  

• Strawberry Crystals

  In USA it is strawberries in Vrat !! Strawberries are a good source of Vitamin C. You might not like to work in the kitchen for long time when you are fasting;this is easy to make delicious and nutritious dessert .....

  

• Fruit Skewers

  Fruit skewers are a good way to attract kids to eat fruit. It is also a good option to serve fruits in the parties. For fruit skewers you can use the fruits as per season or availability. Make sure to use fruits of different colors to have a nice and attractive color contrast...

  

• Fruit Bowl

  Fruit bowls are a good source of fibres, minerals, and vitamins on the day of fasting. Please check with your elders about the family traditions and what fruit can be eaten on fasts. Make sure to use fruits of different colors to have a nice and attractive color contrast..

  

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Drinks for Fasting

• Paan Thandai

  Paan- paan, also known as Betel is an evergreen perennial from tropical climate. Paan leaves are strong and peppery in taste. The pann leaves are heart shaped and are often consumed as mouth freshener along with fennel seeds and areca nuts in India. Thandai- thandai is a traditional milk based spiced Indian drink. It is made with selected spices grinded with nuts. Thandai is considered as a good coolant.....

  

• Thandai

  Thandai is a very traditional milk based Indian drink. It is made with select spices grinded with rose petals and almonds. In North India this special drink is made for Holi (the festival of colors). My Gujarati and Rajasthani friends have told me that it is also made for the Maha-Shivratri festival as an offering to Lord Shiva...

  

• Mango Lassi

  Lassi is a very famous yogurt based drink. Sweet Lassi is made by blending yogurt (curds/ dahi) with either milk or water and sugar. Mango lassi is very popular in western world. To be frank, I first tasted Mango lassi outside India. This is a very easy and delicious recipe for mango lassi...

  

• Badam Milk

  Badam is a Hindi word for almonds. Badam Milk is a very traditional, and delicious drink, and can be served any time of the year. Almonds are rich in calcium and iron and with milk makes for a very healthy drink. Almond milk also has medicinal values and is considered as very good for health...

  

• Strawberry Shake

  Strawberries are very rich in Vitamin C and also good source of Folic acid, Iron and potassium and magnesium and with milk it makes a perfect drink. Enjoy this delicious and nutritious strawberry shake..

  

• Milk Shake

  Milk shake is a healthy drink with the combination of fruits. If someone does not like to drink milk or does not like fruits, this is the best way to get milk and fruits at the same time. I add some cardamoms to give a nice aroma...

  

• Kesariya Lassi

  Lassi is a very popular, yogurt(curd) based drink from India. This is a special lassi from the birth place of God Krishna .This has lot of Saffron in it and has very nice aroma too....

  

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Desserts for Fasting

• Buckwheat and Almond halwa

  Buckwheat and Almond halwa is a delicious, nutritious and gluten-free dessert. Despite its name, buckwheat is not a grain, it is a heart-healthy, gluten-free seed that is also a rich antioxidant and a good source of carbohydrates. Buckwheat is rich in iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamins, and dietary fibers...

  

• Almond and Rose (gulab) squares

  Almond and Rose (gulab) squares or barfi is very delicious, nutritious and easy to make dessert. Almond is also known as Badam in Hindi and is one of the healthiest nuts. This ancient preparation combines floral petals of rose with almonds to get a divine taste. Almond is a good source of potassium, magnesium, and iron....

  

• Fruit n nut laddu

  Fruit and nut laddoos are made with assorted tree nuts and dried fruits. These laddoos are delectable and are a good source of dietary fibers potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These laddus are phalahari, we haven’t used any grains in this laddoo preparation. I have used almonds, pecans,...

  

• Almond Kheer

  Almond kheer is a delicious dessert. This can also be eaten during Indian fasting days. Almonds are one of the healthiest nuts and makhane (Euryale ferox) are rich in protein and carbohydrate and have significant medicinal values. So this sweet dish is healthy as well....

  

• Sweet Potato Pudding

  Sweet Potatoes (शकरकंदी) are considered as highly nutritious. They are a good source of dietary fibers, vitamin, A, C, iron, calcium and surely the carbohydrate. This is a phalahari dessert and can be eaten in the days of fasting. There are so many different skin color sweet potatoes available around the world. We get orange skinned sweet potatoes in our state which is rich in beta carotene....

  

• Singhade ka Halwa

  Singhada, also known as water chestnut, is rich in carbohydrate, starch , vitamin B6, and riboflavin. Singhadas are eaten raw, and also boiled. Singhada is one of the most commonly used food item in delicacies made for the fasting days.…This is an easy to make recipe of delicious singhade ka halwa for Ashtami .....

  

• Dates and walnut burfi

  Dates and walnut burfi is a very healthy dessert preparation and is very simple to make. I learned this dish from a very dear friend of mine. This is a vegan dessert. It is just a two ingredients dessert and there is no added sugar. let's make this delicious Dates and Walnut burfi/squares..

  

• Samo Rice Kheer

  Sama/ Samo rice is one of the food eaten during the fasting days in India. These rice grains are smaller in comparison to any other rice grain, and look somewhere between semolina and daliya (broken wheat), or may be couscous........Please note that different families have different traditions for fasting days .. This is a quick and easy to make dessert for fasts..

  

• Lauki Ka Halwa

  Lauki ka halwa is a very popular and traditional dessert, made all over India. Lauki or bottle gourd is a vegetable which is eaten in many of the families in the days of fasting. There are so many different ways to make lauki ka halwa...I have realized this is the best liked recipe of Lauki ka halwa....

  

• Nariyal ke Ladoo

  Nariyal (Coconut) ladoos are made all over the India. This is a traditional Indian dessert. Coconut is one of the most auspicious fruit for Indians, and used for almost all the religious ceremonies. There are so many different recipes to make coconut ladoos - This is my recipe ! It is a little time taking but the results are wonderful...

  

• Shrikhand

  Shrikhand is a traditional dessert from Western India. This dessert is made with yogurt (curd/ dahi). Yogurt is tied in a muslin cloth and hung for hours to drain off the water and the resulting creamy and thick yogurt is beaten with sugar , garnished with saffron, cardamoms, and dry fruits. I have tried ...

  

• Coconut Burfi/Nariyal ki burfi

  Coconut Burfi/Nariyal ki burfi is a very traditional dessert , made for the auspicious occasions,like Navratri, Maha Shivratri, Janmashtami, etc. You can use fresh coconut or dried grated cocount to make burfi. The specialty of this dessert is that it has been made in sugar syrup and it can be made vegan...

  

• Lauki Ki Kheer

  Lauki or bottle gourd is a vegetable which is eaten in many of the families in the days of fasting. Lauki ki kheer is traditional dessert made all over India. Here I am writing my version of recipe of Lauki ki kheer which is very yummy in taste and is a perfect offering to Lord Krishna. ..

  

• Lauki ki lauj

  Lauki or bottle gourd is a vegetable which is eaten in many families in fasting days. Lauki ki lauj is a dessert made with lauki and milk. This is a traditional dessert made all over India. Here I am writing my version of recipe of Lauki ki Lauj which is very yummy in taste and a perfect offering to God...

  

• Shahi Aloo Ka Halwa

  Potato (aloo) ka halwa is a delicious dessert preparation. This is a phalahari dessert and can be eaten in the days of fasting as well. I remember my grandmother used to make this halwa for Ekadashi vrat..

  

• Mewa Pag

  Mewa Pag (Nuts/ dry fruits squares) is a special burfi/ pag made for pooja. This can be eaten in fasting days too. The dry fruits can be changed as par the taste. You can choose nuts and dried fruits as per taste...

  

• Meeng Pag

  Muskmelon also known as cantaloupe is a delicious fruit. The seeds of muskmelons are delicious too. This is a dessert made out of peeled seeds of muskmelon. This is another variety of dessert made for Janmashtmi Pooja (prayer).. If you don't find muskmelon seeds use watermelon seeds..

  

• Makhane ki Kheer

  Makhane/Makhana / phool makhana are known as puffed Euryale ferox or foxnut in English. Makhana belongs to water lily family and is an edible seed. Makhane are rich in protein and carbohydrate and have significant medicinal values. Makhana are usually eaten in fast and various delicacies are made with makhane...

  

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Hearty Dishes for Fasting

• Sabudana Vada

  Sabudana or sago is a very good source of carbohydrate, and is also eaten during the days of fasting. There is a variety of dishes made out of Sabudana/ Sago like sabudana papad, sabudana kheer, sabudana pulav etc. This recipe is for sabudana vadas. This is a delicious dish and can also be made as a starter in general...

  

• Kuttu ke Pakode

  Kuttu is also known as buckwheat. Kuttu ke pakore is a popular dish for the days of fasting. This is a delicious preparation and can easily be made in a short time. Kuttu ke pakore should be eaten with yogurt (dahi) as they are very warm in tendency (tasir). So let’s make kuttu ke pakore...

  

• Kuttu Ki Poori

  Kuttu is one of the grains that is considered as pure and is eaten during fasting days. There is variety of delicacies made out of kuttu ka flour. In India kuttu grain itself is available. Kuttu is very warm in tendency (tasir) and should be eaten with yogurt (dahi). Kutt ki poori is a delicious preparation and can be served with phalahari lauki or dahi ke aloo.

  

• Singhare ke Pakore

  Singhara, also known as water chestnut, is rich in carbohydrate, starch , vitamin B6, riboflavin etc. This is a delicious deep fried delicacy for the days of fasting. In India they are eaten raw, and also boiled. Singharas are most commonly used in delicacies made for fasting days.

  

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