The Meaning Behind Sawan Food
Sawan, or Shravan, is a month dedicated to Lord Shiva, and for many, it involves fasting on Mondays (Somwar) or for the entire month. The diet shifts to sattvic foods—pure, light meals that calm the mind and are easy on the body. This means avoiding onion,
garlic, regular salt, and certain grains. The practice has a practical side too; Ayurveda suggests our digestive fire is weaker during the monsoon, making lighter foods a healthier choice. Traditionally, many vrat snacks are deep-fried. This is where the air fryer steps in, offering a modern way to enjoy crispy, satisfying classics without the excess oil, perfectly aligning the spiritual goal of discipline with the physical goal of health.
1. Air-Fried Sabudana Vada
No Sawan fast is complete without the beloved sabudana vada. These tapioca pearl patties are typically deep-fried, but the air fryer delivers that signature crunch with a fraction of the oil. To make them, start with well-soaked and drained sabudana. Mix it with boiled and mashed potatoes, coarsely crushed roasted peanuts, chopped green chillies, and sendha namak (rock salt). For the best results, shape the mixture into flat patties and let them chill in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes; this helps them hold their shape. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C, brush the vadas lightly with ghee or oil, and cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through until they are golden and crisp.
2. Kuttu ke Pakode (Buckwheat Fritters)
Kuttu ka atta, or buckwheat flour, is a fasting staple. These pakoras are a perfect evening snack. Make a thick batter by mixing kuttu flour with water, sendha namak, cumin seeds, and chopped green chillies. You can fold in grated paneer or boiled, mashed potatoes for extra substance. Preheat the air fryer to 190°C. Drop spoonfuls of the batter onto a parchment-lined basket, ensuring they don't overcrowd. Brush the tops with a little ghee and air fry for 12-14 minutes, flipping them once at the halfway point. They come out wonderfully crisp and are much lighter on the stomach than their deep-fried counterparts.
3. Crispy Arbi Fry (Taro Root Fries)
Arbi, or taro root, offers a delicious alternative to potatoes during fasts. For a crispy treat, first boil the arbi until tender, then peel and slice it into rounds or fingers. In a bowl, toss the arbi pieces with sendha namak, red chilli powder, cumin powder, and amchur (dry mango powder) for a tangy kick. You can add a spoonful of singhara (water chestnut) flour to help create a crispier coating. Lightly brush the seasoned arbi with oil and place it in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Roast at 200°C for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket midway, until the pieces are golden brown and perfectly crisp.
4. Shakarkandi Chaat (Sweet Potato Chaat)
Sweet potatoes, or shakarkandi, are a fantastic source of energy during fasts. Making a chaat in the air fryer is incredibly simple. Wash, peel, and cut the sweet potatoes into cubes. Toss them with a little ghee, sendha namak, and black pepper. Air fry at 180°C for about 15-20 minutes until they are tender on the inside and slightly crisp on the outside. Once cooked, transfer the cubes to a bowl. Add a squeeze of lemon juice, chopped coriander, and roasted peanuts for a delightful mix of textures and flavours. It's a wholesome, satisfying, and quick snack.
5. Roasted Makhana (Fox Nuts)
Makhana is a light, nutritious, and vrat-approved snack. While often roasted in a pan, the air fryer does a fantastic job of making them uniformly crunchy. Simply place the plain makhana in the air fryer basket and cook at 180°C for about 5-7 minutes until they are crisp. You can do this without any oil. Once they're toasted, transfer them to a bowl and while still warm, toss with a little ghee, sendha namak, and black pepper powder. This ensures the seasoning sticks well. It’s an effortless snack you can make in minutes.
6. Vrat-Style Aloo Tikki
Aloo tikki is a crowd-pleaser that's easily adapted for fasting. Combine boiled, mashed potatoes with a tablespoon of kuttu or singhara flour to act as a binder. Season with sendha namak, chopped green chillies, and fresh coriander. Shape the mixture into flat, round tikkis. Preheat your air fryer to 200°C. Brush the tikkis with ghee on both sides and arrange them in the basket. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping them after 8 minutes, until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. Serve hot with a side of plain curd or a simple vrat-friendly green chutney made from coriander, green chillies, lemon juice, and rock salt.
