Chaitra Navaratri 2022: Sweet and Savory Sitaphal (Pumpkin) recipes to try during this auspicious festival

New Delhi: Chaitra Navaratri is one of the two important Navaratri’s that is celebrated every year. Chaitra Navratri is celebrated during or just after the spring harvest. Chaitra Navaratri, is celebrated with equal zeal and devotion, also sees huge number of devotees fasting or refraining from eating non-vegetarian food for the nine days. Every day is dedicated to a distinct aspect of Goddess Durga, and there are certain do’s and don’ts that must be adhered to on a daily basis.

On the fifth day, for example, the Goddess is offered bananas, while on the eighth day, she is given a large ‘bhog’ with a menu of several delicacies.

While the food items change every day, there are a few staples that are regarded vital vrat-friendly foods for the coming days. If you’re looking to branch out beyond sabudana and kuttu ka aata, there’s another easy ingredient that can help you add diversity to your vrat cuisine during the next nine days. That is none other then Pumpkin/Sitaphal.

Pumpkin is a naturally sweet and mushy vegetable that may be utilised to make both sweet and savoury vrat-friendly foods that you’ll like.

Here are 5 ways to use pumpkin during Chaitra Navaratri 2022, from a sumptuous halwa to a quick and easy dish.

Kaddu ke Pakode: While most of us eat easy and simple meals throughout the vrat, we miss our regular diet the most in the evening. What goes better with ”sham ki chai” than some pakodas, don’t you think? To satisfy your evening carvings while fasting, create this vrat-special pakoda with shredded sitaphal and potatoes, mixed with vrat wala singhara atta.

Khatta Meetha Kaddu: The wonderful khatta meetha kaddu sabzi that you can taste this vrat season is sweet, tangy, and spicy. To make this sabzi a joy, imli (tamarind) is added for its sweet and tangy flavour.

 Kaddu Ki Sabzi: This traditional pumpkin sabzi is ideal for a light and healthy Navaratri lunch. Make this sabzi for lunch or dinner with vrat wali poori or roti, and season with your favourite spices.

Almond And Custard Apple Rabri: Navaratri, like any other celebration, would be incomplete without a variety of savoury treats. This halwa is produced by heating and mashing sitaphal, then adding sugar, raisins, almonds, and desiccated coconut and simmering again. It’s the perfect sweet finish to your Navaratri meal!

Pumpkin Halwa: Navaratri, like any other event, is incomplete without a healthy serving of sweets. Boil, mash, then cook again with sugar, raisins, almonds, and desiccated coconut to make this halwa. It’s the perfect way to end your Navaratri feast with something delicious!