Spicy And Tangy Shakarkandi Chaat
A classic street food snack, Shakarkandi Chaat is a delightful explosion of flavours. The natural sweetness of the roasted sweet potato chunks pairs perfectly with the spicy and tangy notes of chaat masala, lemon juice, and black salt. Start by boiling
or roasting sweet potatoes until they are tender but still hold their shape. Once they are cool enough to handle, peel and chop them into bite-sized cubes. Toss these cubes in a bowl with a generous sprinkle of chaat masala, roasted cumin powder, a pinch of red chilli powder for heat, and a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice. For extra texture and freshness, you can mix in finely chopped onions, green chillies, and fresh coriander. Some versions even add pomegranate arils for a juicy burst of sweetness. Serve immediately for a quick, healthy, and satisfying snack.
Crispy Sweet Potato Tikki
Transforming sweet potato into a crispy patty, or tikki, is a fantastic way to enjoy it as an appetiser or a tea-time snack. Sweet Potato Tikkis are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. To make them, boil and mash sweet potatoes thoroughly. To this mash, add spices like ginger-green chilli paste, chaat masala, garam masala, and dried mango powder (amchur) for a tangy kick. Salt and a little lemon juice will balance the flavours. To help bind the tikkis and make them crisp, mix in a few tablespoons of a binding agent like arrowroot flour or breadcrumbs. Shape the mixture into flat, round patties and then shallow fry them in a pan with a bit of oil or ghee until both sides are golden brown and crisp. These tikkis are delicious served hot with green chutney or tomato ketchup.
Masala Baked Sweet Potato Wedges
For a healthier alternative to deep-fried snacks, Masala Baked Sweet Potato Wedges are a perfect choice. They are simple to prepare and can be customised with your favourite spices. First, wash the sweet potatoes well and cut them into long, even-sized wedges. There's no need to peel them as the skin becomes delightfully crisp when baked. In a large bowl, toss the wedges with a little olive oil, ensuring they are lightly coated. Then, sprinkle on a mix of Indian spices. A combination of cumin powder, paprika or red chilli powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of garam masala works beautifully. Spread the seasoned wedges in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven. Flip them halfway through to ensure they cook evenly until they are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Serve these flavourful wedges on their own or with a simple dip.
Rich And Creamy Shakarkandi Halwa
On the sweeter side of things, Shakarkandi Halwa is a rich, comforting dessert that is surprisingly easy to make. This dish transforms the sweet potato into a decadent pudding-like treat. Begin by boiling or steaming sweet potatoes until they are very soft, then peel and mash them completely. Heat a generous amount of ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan and sauté the mashed sweet potato for several minutes until it becomes fragrant. Next, add sugar and continue to cook, stirring regularly as the sugar melts and incorporates into the mixture. Many recipes also call for adding milk to create a creamier texture. As the halwa thickens and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan, finish it with a sprinkle of cardamom powder and a handful of chopped nuts like cashews and almonds for a delightful crunch.
