Rajgira Roti (North & West India)
A staple during fasts like Navratri, Rajgira Roti is a soft, gluten-free flatbread made from amaranth flour. Known as 'rajgira' or 'ramdana', amaranth is a powerhouse of protein and fibre. To make the dough pliable, the flour is often mixed with boiled
and mashed potatoes, seasoned with rock salt (sendha namak), cumin powder, and green chillies. These rotis have a slightly nutty flavour and a delightfully soft texture, making them a perfect accompaniment to a simple potato curry or a bowl of yoghurt. They are typically cooked on a tawa with a little ghee until golden spots appear, offering a wholesome and satisfying meal.
Kuttu ki Puri (North India)
When fasting season arrives in North India, the distinct aroma of Kuttu ki Puri is never far away. Made from buckwheat flour, known as 'kuttu ka atta', these deep-fried breads have a dark, earthy colour and a rich, nutty taste. Since buckwheat flour is gluten-free, boiled potatoes are often used as a binding agent, creating a soft and manageable dough. The dough is seasoned with rock salt and sometimes black pepper or cumin. Rolled into small discs and fried until they puff up, these puris are crispy on the outside and soft inside. Buckwheat is known to generate warmth in the body, making these puris especially popular during the cooler months and often paired with cooling accompaniments like a yoghurt-based potato curry.
Sabudana Khichdi (West India)
A beloved comfort food across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and several other states, Sabudana Khichdi is the undisputed star of fasting cuisine. This simple yet flavourful dish is made from soaked tapioca pearls (sabudana). The key to a perfect, non-sticky khichdi lies in soaking the pearls for just the right amount of time until they are soft and easily mashed. They are then sautéed in ghee with cumin seeds, green chillies, boiled potato cubes, and the all-important roasted peanuts, which add a delightful crunch. It’s a light, easy-to-digest meal that provides sustained energy, making it a go-to choice for breakfast or a light lunch during a fast.
Vrat Dosa (South India & Beyond)
Proving that fasting food can be just as exciting, the Vrat Dosa is a brilliant adaptation of the South Indian classic. Instead of rice and lentils, this dosa is made from fasting-approved ingredients like barnyard millet, also known as 'samak chawal' or 'sama rice'. The millet is often blended with soaked tapioca pearls (sabudana) and sometimes boiled potato to create a smooth, instant batter that requires no fermentation. Poured onto a hot griddle, it cooks into a thin, crispy, and often lacy crepe. This innovative dish can be served plain or with a simple fasting-friendly potato stir-fry and coconut chutney, bringing the joy of a crispy dosa to the 'vrat' menu.
Farali Pattice (Gujarat)
A classic Gujarati snack, Farali Pattice is a flavour explosion. These are crispy potato patties with a surprise inside: a sweet and savoury stuffing. The outer layer is made of mashed potatoes bound with arrowroot flour ('ararot') or another fasting flour. The filling is a delicious mixture of fresh grated coconut, roasted and crushed peanuts, cashews, raisins, and a hint of green chilli and lemon juice. This combination of textures and tastes—crispy outside, soft inside, with a nutty, sweet, and tangy filling—is a hallmark of Gujarati cuisine. The patties are typically shallow-fried or deep-fried until golden brown and are a festive treat enjoyed during fasts.
Singhare ka Halwa (North India)
No fast is complete without a touch of sweetness, and Singhare ka Halwa is a traditional favourite. This rich, dense pudding is made from water chestnut flour, or 'singhare ka atta'. The flour is roasted in a generous amount of ghee until it turns fragrant and golden brown, a crucial step for developing its nutty flavour. A simple sugar syrup, sometimes infused with cardamom, is then added, and the mixture is cooked until it thickens and the ghee begins to separate. The resulting halwa has a unique, slightly grainy texture and a deeply comforting taste. Garnished with nuts, it's the perfect dessert to provide a boost of energy during a long day of fasting.
