NAVRATRI SUNDALS & SWEETS |
Though I do not celebrate Navratri, I always have fond memories of this festive season. We lived in a neighbourhood where communal festivals were always common, may it be Diwali, Pongal, Navratri, Tamil /Malayalam New Year, Onam, Karthigai etc., And there we also celebrated Id, Bakrid, Christmas, Easter and New Year. All festivals prevailed around in full vogue. The spirit of these festivals came out with sharing & particularly sharing the delicacies of festivities has left a long time memory in my mind. As always Food and Memories have a long-term connection with me. Especially Biriyanis for Id, Fruit Cakes for Christmas, Murukku for Diwali and Sundals for Navratri. Now living in a community where cultural festivities of Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Moon cake festival all have become a part and parcel of life. And here too I have started to relate Nasi Briyani and Rendang for Hari Raya, Mandarins for Lunar New Year and I await for the Moon Cakes during the Autumn festival. So, quite a lot of cultural indulgence and food related memories flock up when I think of festivals.
Recently my brother Siva Prasad of Realworks Studios send a trailer they had created for the latest Tamil Movie, "Sabapathy." where there was a depiction of Golu and Navratri. The trailer bought seasonal memories of Golu Hopping, Bhajans, Vethilai Pakku, Sundal & Pongal binging etc., And then we used to do Pujas on Sarawati Pooja Day at our tailoring shop. The day being the happiest, for the only reason that we do not need to study and all our books would be kept in the Puja. The day begins with helping my Mom and Dad in cleaning and then applying Sandhanam and Kunkumam on Doors, Televisions, my Dad's Cycle, Books and what not... Anything which seems special and important. Even we went to the extent of applying it to our pens and pencils so that we get good marks in the upcoming exams. So were the days of overloaded innocence, and now I feel funny thinking of these pranks.
Amma makes Sarkkarai Pongal and Pachai Pattani Sundal her default Naivedyam for Saraswati Pooja and there comes the Puja delicacies, Pori(Puffed Rice), Orange Mittai 😋, fruits and the ever lasting aroma of Chrysanthemum(I relate it as the seasonal flower of Navratri).
So to commemorate Navratri let me bring from my collection a few varieties of Sundal, Snacks, and Sweets which can well be catered as Naivedyam & Prasadham for all Nine days of Navratri Celebration and for Vijay Dasami which marks the final day of Navratri.
Click onto the individual pictures for a detailed recipe...
I have also added two default items which marks a special place in Naivedyam list -
Panagam & Panchamirtham
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SUNDAL VARIETIES:
Sundal is one main show stealer when it comes to Navratri. A simple stir-fry recipe prepared with Beans, Lentils or Legumes. Some even add Sundal Podi, a spice mix while making Sundal. Sundal Podi, a simple spice powder which helps to enhance the overall taste and flavour of Sundal comes out to be handy in the busy days of Golu and Navratri.
NINE VARIETIES OF SUNDAL FOR NINE DAYS & SUNDAL PODI
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SNACKS FOR NAIVEDYAM/PRASADHAM
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PONGAL VARIETIES FOR NAIVEDYAM/PRASADHAM
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KESARI VARIETIES FOR NAIVEDYAM/PRASADHAM
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PAYASAM VARIETIES FOR NAIVEDYAM/PRASADHAM
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KHEER FOR NAIVEDYAM/PRASADHAM
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SWEETS FOR NAIVEDYAM/PRASADHAM
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BENGALI PRASHADS FOR DURGA PUJA
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