Navratri Vrat Sabudana Thalipeeth

Navratri Vrat Sabudana Thalipeeth

Navratri Vrat Sabudana Thalipeeth is a really popular Maharashtrian recipe made during fasting.  Nowadays everyone wants Fast food and here’s an easy yet extremely delicious traditional Maharashtrian recipe which you can make in a jiffy. Thalipeeth is actually a savoury multi-grain recipe and the first time I ate it in Dilli Haat, I was hooked. Do try out this Navratri Vrat Sabudana Thalipeeth this Dasara.

About Navratri Vrat Sabudana Thalipeeth

It is made from Sago pearls that are soaked and drained well. Later, boiled mashed potato is added with a few select spices and crushed peanuts to give it a nice crunch. Thereafter, it is rolled into a disc and pan-fried. Simple isn’t it? Sabudana Thalipeeth is a crisp and soft pancake-like recipe.

Usually, the Millenials love to ask “why” for everything, so here goes…

How is it decided that sabudana is okay to eat while fasting?

Sabudana is not made from grains. These pearls of tapioca are obtained from the pith. It is a starchy product almost 90% carbohydrates. For this purpose, it gives instant energy and hence most suitable for fasting. Since it is pure with no additives and is a non-grain food it is allowed during fasting.

Navratri or sacred phases are believed to be the most favourable time to worship Goddess Durga. These nine days I personally believe is celebrating all kinds of women.

Significance of Fasting

One might ask what the significance of observing fasting is. Fasting in India has been a part of holistic religious practices since ancient times. Sacrificing eating during Navratri is akin to an act of denial for worldly needs to attain higher spiritual goals and receive blessings from the Gods. Spiritual leaders and are ancient scriptures say that fasting is the act of beatification that creates harmonious coordination between the body, mind and soul.

But I would rather go with the scientific reason that, during this seasonal change our immune system is vulnerable to pollutants in the air. Fasting and restraining one’s self from heavy foods and detoxing our body with natural and nutritive food like fruits, dairy products and dry fruits is the best way to fight seasonal illness.

Even though you’re fasting, it is imperative to take care of the nutrients and fluid intakes to maintain energy and stay healthy. Whether you are fasting or not check out all the easy recipes I have lined up for you here –Kala chana puri sooji halwa, Makhana, Sweet potato, Sabudana khichdi, Banana lassi, Kuttu ki roti, Baby potato fry, Lauki ki kheer, Raw banana cutlet and this Sago appe.

Ingredients for Navratri Vrat Sabudana Thalipeeth

⅔ cup sabudana

2 medium or large potatoes, boiled, peeled and mashed

½ tsp cumin powder

4 tbsp peanuts, roasted and coarsely ground

1 tsp rock salt

½ inch ginger, finely chopped or grated

1 tsp lemon juice

¼ cup coriander leaves, chopped

1 tsp sugar

2 tbsp. peanut oil or ghee as required for frying

Method

Firstly, rinse the sabudana well till you get transparent water when rinsing. Soak it overnight in water as much as the sago. Do not use more water.

The next morning, drain it really well to see that there is no water in it.

Boil and grate the potatoes.

Roast the peanuts and grind them coarsely. I use my stone pestle which is very good.

In a bowl, add the soaked sabudana, potatoes and rest of the ingredients. Mix well.

Heat a non-stick frying pan and spread 1 teaspoon of peanut oil or ghee on the pan. I used ghee.

 Grease your palms and take a ball-sized portion from the mixture and flatten it with your palms.

Actually, you can also flatten it on a plastic bag.

Gently place the flattened round (Thalipeeth) on the frying pan. Keep it on medium heat or it will get burnt.

Finally, fry it until both sides are golden brown and crisp.

Subsequently, Fry the rest of the sabudana Thalipeeth in the same way.

Once done, serve Navratri Vrat Sabudana Thalipeeth with chutney or fruity raita like I did.