Delicious Navratri Recipes for 9 Days of Fasting

Navratri is a popular Indian festival celebrated in full swing and celebrated in the month of September to October in different parts of the country. This nine-day festival is dedicated to nine forms of Durga, namely Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skanda Mata, Katyayani, Kaalratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil, like Maa Durga over Mahisasur. One of the most popular ways of celebrating Navratri is the traditional dance form Garba and Dandiya Raas, in which people dress in beautiful attire and play Dandiya in full swing. However, to please Maa Durga, many devotees participate in fasting and abstaining from certain foods while consuming only vegetarian delights to impress Maa Durga and seek her blessings. 

Navratri Special Food Recipes for 9 Days

When observing fasting during Navratri, incorporating Vrat recipes centered around dry fruits is an excellent choice. Dry fruit-based recipes are nutritious to your Navratri diet, making them ideal for daily consumption.

Dry fruits for Navratri special dishes are highly favored because they are packed with essential nutrients like dietary fibre, protein, healthy fats, and vitamins, which help keep you nourished throughout the festival. Their natural sugars and healthy fats provide sustained energy, preventing sudden blood sugar spikes and maintaining your energy levels throughout the day. Here's a list of potential dry fruit recipes to explore and enjoy during Navratri:

1. Makhane ki Kheer

Enjoy the delectable Makhana Kheer Mix – a delightful dessert for Navratri or any day! This easy-to-make treat combines the goodness of 1 cup of phool makhana and 10-12 cashews roasted to a golden-brown perfection. Meanwhile, heat 2 cups of milk over low-medium to medium heat. Reserve 1/3rd of the makhana, and blend the rest into a creamy powder with four cardamom seeds and a pinch of saffron. 

Once the milk reaches a boil, sweeten it with 3.5 to 4 tablespoons of sugar to suit your taste. Add the luscious makhana powder and the remaining 1/3rd cup of makhana. Stir and simmer for a tantalizing 9 to 10 minutes. Finish off this exquisite creation with a garnish of cashews, almonds, and raisins for a touch of elegance. Enjoy the perfect blend of taste and health! 

2. Dry Fruit Laddoo

Try a simple, nutritious recipe free from sugar and jaggery, making it a perfect treat for various occasions and celebrations, ideal for sharing with loved ones. These delightful laddoos can also be an instant energy-boosting snack, providing ample sustenance and satisfaction. 

Begin by heating one tablespoon of ghee and roasting 1 cup of almonds, ½ cup of cashews, and ¼ cup of pistachios until they are perfectly done. Heat another tablespoon of ghee along with ½ cup of raisins and 6 figs in a separate pan. Dry roast 3 tablespoons of pumpkin seeds, three sunflower seeds, two tablespoons of sesame seeds, one tablespoon of poppy seeds, and 1 cup of dried coconut until they attain a delightful golden brown hue.

Now, in a spacious kadai, heat two tablespoons of ghee and add 350 grams of dates. Cook them over low heat until the dates turn soft, then mash them into a smooth paste. Incorporate all the roasted nuts and seeds into the mixture and allow it to cool slightly. Begin shaping this wholesome blend into laddoos, and relish the goodness of these healthy and nutritious dry fruit laddoos. 

3. Dry Fruit Barfi

Indulge in the sheer delight of soft, chewy, and irresistibly tasty dry fruit barfi. This beloved treat will make your taste buds sing joyfully. What's more, it's guilt-free with no added sugar! 

Heat one tablespoon of ghee in a pan to create this delectable delight. Add ½ cup of almonds, ½ cup of cashews, ¼ cup of walnuts, three tablespoons of pumpkin seeds, three tablespoons of pistachios, and two sunflower seeds. Roast these seeds and nuts over low heat until they become wonderfully crunchy. 

Next, mix 1.5 cups of dates and blend them into a smooth paste using a grinder. In a spacious kadhai, add one tablespoon of ghee and roast two tablespoons each of figs and raisins. Once ready, introduce the mashed date paste and the toasted nuts and seeds into the mix. Let it cool slightly, then shape it into laddoos.

Wrap these delightful creations in aluminium foil and cut them into thick slices. Enjoy the wholesome goodness of these sugar-free dry fruit barfi! 

4. Banana Walnut Lassi

Satisfy your cravings without compromising on delightful beverages that are ideal for both summer and also make a perfect fit in Navratri fasting recipes. In a food processor, blend yogurt, whey powder, flax seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts, honey, and bananas until you attain a smooth and creamy texture. Pour it into a glass and, just before serving, garnish with chopped walnuts. Savour the taste! 

5. Dry Fruit Milkshake Recipe

Indulge in the goodness of a popular Indian delight, the dry fruit milkshake, which provides protein, iron, and calcium and serves as an energy-boosting elixir. This nutritious beverage is an excellent sugar-conscious choice, especially for growing kids.

Start by soaking three to four dried figs at room temperature for one to two hours. Then, gather 1/4th cup of almonds, 1/4th cup of cashews, 1/4th cup of raisins, 1/4th cup of pistachios, and 7 to 8 dates. Once the figs have softened, roughly chop them and remove the seeds from the dates before chopping them. Combine these prepared ingredients with ½ cup of chilled milk, and to enhance the experience, add a pinch of saffron to infuse a delicate and enticing aroma. Enjoy this wholesome treat! 

6. Dry Fruit Chaat

Dry fruit chaat is a nutritious and festive snack crafted from nutrient-rich dried fruits and nuts. To prepare, begin by soaking cashews, almonds, and raisins, peeling the almonds once soaked, and finely chopping the raisins. Dice dates, green chilies, and coriander finely, and cut pistachios into halves, walnuts into quarters, and cottage cheese into cubes. Blanch corn, then dry roast lotus seeds for a crispy touch. Heat one tablespoon of ghee in a pan and add cashews, raisins, walnuts, pistachios, dates, and a blend of chaat masala, cumin powder, black salt, and garam masala. Simultaneously, in another pan, use one teaspoon of ghee to cook cottage cheese until it turns pink, then introduce corn and season with chaat masala and garam masala. For serving later, pause at this point. Combine the contents of both pans, squeeze lemon juice over them, and stir. After the lemon juice evaporates, add roasted lotus seeds and chopped green chillies. Finish with a garnish of roasted musk melon seeds and fresh coriander.

7. Dry Fruit Porridge

Dry fruit porridge is a nutritious and delicious breakfast or snack option incorporating various dried fruits, nuts, and grains. It's a wholesome dish that provides essential nutrients, fibre, and energy. To make it, combine 1/2 cup of rolled or steel-cut oats with 1 to 1.5 cups of milk (or a dairy-free alternative like almond or soy milk) in a saucepan. Adjust the liquid amount to your preferred consistency. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Once the oats reach your desired consistency, reduce the heat to low. Add 1/4 cup of dried fruits (such as raisins, apricots, dates, or cranberries), 1/4 cup of nuts and seeds (like almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, or flaxseeds), and sweetener to taste (optional). You can also add a pinch of spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then let it thicken for a minute or two. Serve hot, and consider topping fresh fruits like sliced bananas or berries if desired. Enjoy this wholesome and customizable dish for a nutritious breakfast or snack.

8. Roasted Makhana

Roasted makhana, or roasted foxnuts or lotus seeds, is a popular and nutritious snack in Indian cuisine. It is often consumed during fasting for its health benefits. For this snack, you'll need 2 cups of makhana, 1 to 2 tablespoons of ghee or oil, salt to taste, and optional spices like chaat masala, black pepper, or paprika for added flavour. Start by heating a pan or kadai over medium heat and adding ghee or oil. Once hot, add the makhana and roast them on medium-low heat. This ensures that even cooking removes moisture and achieves crispiness. Add salt and spices as desired for seasoning. Continue roasting for about 7-10 minutes until they turn light golden brown, taking care not to burn them. After roasting, let them cool completely in the pan to enhance their crispiness, then transfer to an airtight container for storage. Roasted makhana is a wholesome and crunchy snack option enjoyed during fasting and as a guilt-free treat at any time.

9. Dry Fruits and Sago Pudding

Dry fruit sago pudding is a creamy and delightful dessert featuring sago pearls (tapioca pearls), milk, sugar, dried fruits like raisins and dates, chopped nuts such as almonds or cashews, ghee for richness, and optional flavourings like cardamom powder, saffron strands, or rosewater/vanilla essence. To make this dessert, begin by rinsing the sago pearls to remove excess starch and soaking them for 30 minutes. Then, sauté them in ghee until translucent and crispy. Add milk, simmer until the sago pearls turn soft, and dissolve sugar to taste. Incorporate dried fruits, nuts, and flavourings, cooking until the pudding thickens. Finally, let it cool slightly before serving, either warm or chilled, optionally garnishing with more nuts and saffron strands.

Navratri Fasting FAQ's

Q1. Can I eat dry fruits in Navratri?

Dry fruits are suitable for consumption during Navratri fasting as they provide an energy-rich and nourishing option, allowing you to substitute meals with a light yet satisfying alternative. 

Q2. What are some of the popular Navratri Vrat recipes for dry fruits?

Popular Navratri recipes include makhana ki kheer, dry fruit laddo, dry fruit chaat, and roasted makhana, all catering to Navratri fasting requirements while focusing on health and nutrition. 

Q3. Which dry fruits are allowed during the Navratri fast?

Dry fruits like almonds, pistachios, raisins, walnuts, apricots, dates, figs, and makhana are allowed during Navratri fasting. 

Q4. Can I use dry fruits as sweeteners in Navratri food recipes?

Indeed, dried fruits like figs and dates can serve as a wholesome natural sweetener in Navratri food recipes, elevating sweetness while aligning with health objectives. 

Q5. What are the health benefits of including dry fruits in Navratri festivals?

Dry fruits are packed with a wealth of nutrients, including dietary fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals, offering numerous health advantages, such as aiding in weight management, boosting energy, and fortifying bone health. 

Q6. Can we have nuts in Navratri fast?

During Navratri fasting, you can include a variety of nuts such as walnuts, almonds, and cashews to maintain a nutritious and healthy diet. 

Conclusion

Including nutritious recipes in your Navratri meal plan for improved nourishment is important. In case you're prepping for Navratri celebrations too, make sure you stock up all the main essentials. We at Nutraj offer a wide range of dry fruits, nuts, and more to keep up with your tasty and healthy eating habits, and we have it all to cope with your Navratri meal choices. Don't forget to explore our recipes mentioned above and our extensive range of dry fruits and nuts online today!