Introduction
Navratri, the nine-night grand festival celebrated in India, is a time of spiritual devotion and fasting.
While each Devi or Goddess signifies distinct power, Indians celebrate the festival in different forms, varying in languages and regions.
In Northern India, Navratri is the celebration of Dussehra and Kanya pooja. Western India dances through the Joy of Garba and Dandiya Raas. Eastern India worships the five days of Durga Pooja, while the Ayudh Pooja and Yakshgana mark the South Indian Navratri.
Navratri Vrat involves abstaining from specific foods and practices to purify the mind, body, and soul.
During Navratri Vrat, it’s important to maintain a healthy, balanced diet that is full of nutrients.
Organic produce is often more nutrient-dense than conventionally grown produce, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support your body during fasting.
Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, these recipes are easy to follow and can be prepared quickly for Navratri 2025.
The Significance of Organic and Natural Ingredients:
The organic food industry has grown significantly in recent decades. India has over 1 million organic food producers, standing at the top of production.
By incorporating organic and natural ingredients into fasting recipes for Navratri, you can enhance the spiritual significance of the occasion while also nourishing your body and contributing to a healthier planet, as the products are-
- Purity and Authentic, without the use of harmful pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers.
- High in Nutrition, vitamins, and minerals.
- A sustainable future, with sustainable farming practices in harmony with nature.
3. Navratri Vrat Recipes:
3.1 Organic Sabudana Khichdi:
From the main course to snacks and desserts, Sago or Sabudana is a versatile ingredient that is most widely used in Vrat recipes or dishes for the Navratri fast.
Sabudana or Sago Pearls are gluten-free and therefore a great alternative to wheat-based flours.
While the market is full of options, you can explore the purest organic ingredients from Re:fresh to make this recipe healthier.
Ingredients:
- Sabudana - 1 cup
- Ghee - 3 tablespoons
- Potatoes - 2, chopped
- Green Chillies - 3
- Peanuts - ½ cup
- Cumin seeds- 1 teaspoon
- Coriander leaves - 1-2 tablespoons
- Edible Rock Salt (Sendha Namak)- as per taste
- Sugar - as per taste
How to make Sabudana Khichdi:
- Soak 1 cup of sabudana for 4-5 hours or overnight. If the soaked sabudana pearls are mashed properly, then they are ready to be cooked.
- Using a strainer, strain all the extra water from the sabudana. Any extra water may make your khichdi mushy.
- Heat a kadhai or a frying pan and add ½ cup peanuts. On medium-low heat, keep stirring the peanuts and roast them to make them crunchy.
- Let the peanuts cool down (you can either remove the skin) and grind them to make a coarse mixture. Add the peanuts to the sabudana, with salt and sugar.
- In a kadhai, heat 3 tablespoons of Ghee and add the cumin seeds on medium-low heat. Add chilies, fry them, and then add chopped potatoes.
- Next, add the sabudana-peanut mixture and mix very well. Sauté till the sabudana becomes translucent.
- Your Navratri Fast Sabudana Khichdi is ready. Garnish it with coriander leaves.
3.2 Singhara Atta Puri and Vrat Aloo Sabzi:
Singhare ki poori is a delicious Indian fry bread made with water chestnut flour, mashed potatoes, edible rock salt, and a few spices.
Along with Vrat Aloo Sabzi, this healthy meal can also be eaten on regular days.
Water chestnut flour or Singhara atta is loaded with vitamin B6, potassium (350 to 360 mg per half cup), copper, iodine, manganese, and riboflavin.
Singhara Ki Puri:
Singhara Flour is a powerhouse of antioxidants and minerals, perfect for Navratri vrat ki thali.
Ingredients:
- Water Chestnut Flour or Singhara atta - 250 grams
- Potato - 1 boiled, mashed
- Cumin powder - 1/2 teaspoon
- Black pepper powder - 1/4 teaspoon
- Sendha Namak - as per taste
- Oil for frying
How to Make Singhare ki Puri:
- In a large bowl, combine water chestnut flour, mashed potato, cumin powder, black pepper powder, and sendha namak. Mix well.
- Gradually add water and knead a stiff dough.
- Divide the dough into small balls.
- Roll each ball into a thin circle.
- Fry the puris in hot oil until golden brown.
Aloo Ki Sabzi or Vrat ke Aloo:
The Vrat ke Aloo is a popular fast recipe, enjoyed with Singhara (water chestnut flour) or Kuttu (buckwheat flour) ki puri. The aloo or potato sabzi is simple and delicious, and goes well with fasting flatbreads.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes - 3 boiled & grated
- Tomato - 3 finely chopped
- Green chili - 1 finely chopped
- Cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
- Red chili powder - 1/4 teaspoon
- Sendha Namak or Rock salt- as per taste
- Chopped fresh cilantro
- Oil/ghee for frying
How to make Vrat ke Aloo:
- Rinse 3 medium-sized potatoes well in fresh water and pressure cook them in 3 cups of water. You can sprinkle ¼ teaspoons of sendha namak or rock salt on the potatoes. After 4 to 5 whistles, let the potatoes cool down and peel them.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil or ghee in a frying pan and add cumin seeds. After the cumin seeds crackle, add the chopped chilies and saute for half a minute.
- Add 3 medium-sized tomatoes and stir well. Continue to cook on a low heat and let them turn mushy.
- Crumble the boiled potatoes in the tomato mixture, stir well, and add 2 cups of water. You can add sendha namak as per taste.
- Simmer on low heat till the gravy thickens, as per your requirement. Garnish with cilantro.
Your delicious Singhare ki Puri and Aloo ki Sabzi are ready to serve for Navratri vrat.
3.3 Makhane ki Kheer:
Makhane ki kheer is a pudding made with Makhana (foxnuts) and milk, served as a dessert and one of the top falahari recipes for Navratri.
Makhana is rich in antioxidants and micronutrients and may help in weight loss, blood sugar management, and heart health.
Ingredients:
- Makhana- ⅓ whole and ⅔ ground
- Ghee - 3 teaspoons
- Cashews - 10 to 12
- Milk - 500 ml
- Sugar - 3 to 4 tablespoons
- Cardamom- 4 green pods
- Saffron strands- a few strands
- Almonds and raisins
How to make Makhane ki Kheer:
- Heat 3 teaspoons of Ghee in a pan and add 1 cup phool makhana with 10 to 12 cashews.
- Roast the makhana on low-medium heat in ghee till the Makhana turns crunchy and the cashews become golden. Let them cool down.
- Heat 500 ml of milk in a saucepan or a thick-bottomed kadhai on a medium flame. Stir at intervals so the milk doesn’t stick to the bottom.
- While the milk is boiling, grind ⅔ makhana along with 4 green cardamom pods and the saffron strands.
- In the milk, add 3 to 4 tablespoons of sugar and the ground makhana with the whole makhana.
- Simmer the kheer for 10 minutes on low heat, till the makhan softens and the milk thickens a bit. Lastly, add the raisins, almonds, and golden cashews to garnish to enjoy your Makhana kheer.
3.4 Sama Chawal Khichdi:
Sama ke chawal or bhagar is a regular ingredient used during Navratri vrat and is considered to be nutritious.
A popular cereal, it is low in carbohydrates and gluten-free, and is enjoyed during Navratri fasting.
Ingredients:
- Sama or Bhagar Chawal - 1 cup
- Mixed vegetables- Chopped, 1 cup
- Cumin seeds - 1/2 teaspoon
- Red Chilli powder - 1/4 teaspoon
- Sendha Namak - salt to taste
- Ghee- 1 tablespoon
How to make Sama Chawal Khichdi:
- Rinse the rice with cold water and soak for at least 30 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent. Chop the potatoes, carrots, peas, tomatoes, and beans.
- Heat pure cow ghee in a pan and temper the cumin seeds. Add the vegetables and stir them until they soften.
- Add red chili powder and sendha namak, as per your taste.
- Add the soaked sama rice and cook for 5-7 minutes, occasionally stirring. Khichdi should have a thick consistency.
Enjoy hot with fresh cilantro.
3.5 Sabudana Thaalipeeth (Marathi style):
Sabudana Thalipeeth are Marathi soft pancakes made during the auspicious Navratri vrat.
These delicious sago pearl pancakes are also called Upvasache Thalipeeth in the Marathi language, made with mashed potatoes and spices.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sabudana (tapioca pearls)
- 2 medium potatoes (boiled & mashed)
- 1/2 cup roasted peanuts (coarsely powdered)
- 2-3 green chilies (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 8-10 curry leaves
- 2-3 tbsp water chestnut flour (singhara atta) or rajgira flour
- Rock salt (sendha namak) to taste
- Ghee for cooking
- 2 tbsp grated coconut (optional)
- Pinch of black pepper
How to Make Sabudana Thalipeeth:
- Soak sabudana for 4-5 hours until soft. Drain completely and let it rest for 30 minutes to remove excess water.
- Combine soaked sabudana with mashed potatoes, crushed peanuts, green chilies, and rock salt.
- Mix the water with the flour to help bind the mixture. The dough should hold together but not be too wet.
- Add cumin seeds, curry leaves, black pepper, and grated coconut if using in Navratri vrat.
- Heat a tawa, wet your hands, and spread the mixture like a thick pancake. Drizzle ghee around the edges and cook on medium heat until golden and crispy.
Serve immediately with yogurt or vrat chutney. Best enjoyed fresh off the tawa!
The Bottom Line:
By choosing organic ingredients, you can ensure that your body is receiving the best possible nutrition while adhering to your fasting traditions.
These recipes are not only easy to prepare but also provide a delicious and satisfying way to break your fast.
Enjoy these organic Navratri Vrat recipes and experience the benefits of a healthy and sustainable fast.
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