These 10-minute vegetarian desserts are perfect for your Navratri fasting menu

Navratri fasting method: During the holy festival of Navratri, when fasting and devotion take center stage, these vegetarian sattvik dishes provide a delightful way to nourish your body while staying true to your spiritual practices. 10 Minute Vegan Almond Halwa and Vegan Custard Apple Kheer is not only perfect for fasting but also serves as nutritious prasad for the Goddess. Crafted from plant-based ingredients, these sweets offer rich flavor without any dairy, making them both a delicious and pleasing choice for this auspicious time. Embrace tradition with a kinder twist and savor these easy, healthy recipes during your Navratri celebrations. These divine Navratri sattvik sweet dishes are created by nutritionist and advocate of vegetarian India, Sarita Sridharan. She is also the author of the Whole Foods Plant-Based Cookbook.
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Here are 2 vegetarian Navratri vrat recipes you must try:

1. Vegetarian Almond Halwa:

Vegetarian Almond Halwa Recipe

Material:

• Almonds – 1 cup
• Jaggery powder – 3/4 cup
• Water – 1/2 cup
• Cardamom powder – 1/2 tsp
• Saffron – a few strands to taste
• Any nut milk – 1/2 cup
• Blending: Finely grind the almonds, do not remove the skin.

Method:

• Use pans with handles. Add all the above ingredients in the pan. mix well. Cook on medium flame while stirring occasionally.
• As the almonds ripen, the nuts release oil, which is sufficient for the halwa. Cook until you get a halwa-like consistency. While it is still hot, take it out in a bowl.
• Garnish with any crushed seeds. Halwa can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• You can choose to add fresh mango pulp (if it is in season) as a topping, as shown in the image.

2. Vegetarian Sabudana Apple Kheer:

Vegetarian Sabudana Apple Kheer

Material:

• Any nut milk – 2 cups
• Sabudana – soaked 3/4 cup
• Seedless and mashed custard apples – 1 cup
• Cardamom powder – 1/4 tsp
• Saffron – a few threads to taste
• Mixed seeds, roasted – for garnish
• Soaking: Soak sago in water for 3 to 4 hours.

Method:

• – Heat some oil in a pan and cook the sago until it becomes transparent. Add thick nut milk, cardamom powder and saffron and mix well.
• Let it cook for a few minutes. Take care not to boil the milk.
• Remove from heat and add mashed custard apples.
• Serve in bowls and garnish with roasted mixed seeds.

Also read: When is Sharad Navratri 2024 and what to eat during Navratri fasting

About the author: Chef Sarita Sreedharan is a nutritionist and proponent of vegetarian food in India.
All photos: iStock