Navaratri is celebrated with great energy across India, and food is central to the experience. While devotees observe different fasting practices depending on family traditions and regional customs, many avoid rice, wheat, lentils, and regular salt. Ingredients such as buckwheat flour, water chestnut flour, potatoes, sweet potatoes, fresh fruit, peanuts, and rock salt are widely used. Cooking methods also adapt, with shallow frying, steaming, and roasting replacing heavier styles. The OTG, such as Usha’s OTG has become a useful appliance for such occasions. It allows slow roasting, grilling, and baking with very little oil, and ensures that food retains its natural flavour and texture. This combination of modern convenience with traditional fasting rules opens the door to a more varied festive menu.
1. Baked Sabudana Cutlets
Sabudana is a familiar fasting ingredient, usually made into khichdi or vadas. An OTG offers another approach with baked cutlets. Soaked sabudana is mixed with boiled potatoes, crushed peanuts, and rock salt. Instead of deep frying, the mixture can be shaped into patties, brushed lightly with ghee, and baked until crisp. The result is a cutlet that has the same flavour as the classic version but is lighter and less oily. Baking in an OTG also ensures that the patties cook evenly and remain firm. These cutlets work well as an evening snack or even as part of the main meal when served with yoghurt or green chutney made without onion and garlic.
2. Sweet Potato And Buckwheat Tikkis
Sweet potato is a valued fasting ingredient due to its natural sweetness and high nutritional content. When combined with buckwheat flour, it creates a binding base for tikkis. The mixture can be seasoned with rock salt, crushed black pepper, and a touch of cumin. Flattened tikkis can be arranged on a greased OTG tray and grilled until golden. The grilling method gives the tikkis a slight char while keeping the inside soft and flavourful. Sweet potato also provides complex carbohydrates, which help sustain energy during the fasting period. These tikkis are ideal for those seeking something filling yet easy to digest.
3. Kuttu Flour Mini Pizzas
Kuttu or buckwheat flour is often used for puris and pakoras during Navaratri. A more innovative use is to prepare a thin crust base in the OTG. The flour is combined with boiled potato to form a pliable dough, which is then flattened into small discs. These discs can be pre-baked and topped with fasting-friendly ingredients such as paneer cubes, tomato slices, green chillies, and grated cheese. A quick bake in the OTG melts the cheese and gives the crust a firm texture. These mini pizzas follow fasting rules while offering a fun and modern twist. Children especially enjoy this option, as it adapts familiar flavours into a Navaratri setting.
4. Roasted Makhana And Peanut Mix
Makhana, also known as fox nuts, is widely consumed during fasts because it is light yet filling. In an OTG, makhana can be roasted with peanuts for a crisp and protein-rich snack. A light brushing of ghee and seasoning with rock salt and black pepper enhances the flavour. Roasting in the OTG gives a more even result than dry roasting on a pan. The mixture can be stored in an airtight jar for a few days, making it a convenient option for those observing longer fasts. This snack is also suitable for sharing with guests during the festival, as it is both festive and wholesome.
5. Grilled Paneer Skewers
Paneer is permitted in most fasting traditions and offers a good source of protein. Cubes of paneer can be marinated in yoghurt, rock salt, black pepper, and a little lemon juice. Arranged on skewers with pieces of tomato and capsicum, they can be grilled in the OTG until charred at the edges. Grilling adds a smoky dimension without the need for heavy spices. These skewers are appealing as appetisers during Navaratri gatherings and provide variety beyond the usual fried paneer preparations. Paneer skewers also demonstrate how an OTG can replicate tandoor-style cooking in a more compact form.
6. Apple And Singhara Flour Cake
Desserts are an important part of any celebration, and fasting days are no exception. Singhara or water chestnut flour is a common substitute for wheat flour and can be used to create a light cake. Grated apple adds natural sweetness and moisture, reducing the need for excessive sugar. The batter can be baked in the OTG until it sets into a soft, mildly sweet cake. A sprinkling of chopped nuts enhances the texture. This dessert is fully aligned with fasting rules and provides a satisfying end to the meal. Baking in the OTG ensures even cooking and a soft crumb without requiring additional equipment.