The nine-day long celebration of Goddess Durga, which kicks off today, brings with it a plethora of food and fasting rules. While some devotees avoid onion and garlic during Navratri, most steer clear of wheat, pulses, rice and lentils. Mumbai-based patisserie chef Guntas Sethi Bhasin informs us that in absence of these food items, people can consume amaranth flour, sabudana, buckwheat flour, sweet potatoes, and milk products such as curd and paneer. “While growing up, my favourites were makhana kheer, sabudana khichdi and sweet potato tikki chaat,” she shares. Those who undertake fasting and miss snacking can whip up a quick makhana chaat or a fruit chaat, she suggests, apart from makhana kheer. “As rice isn’t allowed during Navratri, it is replaced with toasted makhanas or fox nuts which are rich in proteins and fibre,” she adds.

Guntas Sethi Bhasin