Can We Eat Uttapam in Navratri Fast? Your Guide to Vrat-Friendly Uttapam

While traditional uttapam, made with rice and lentils, is typically prohibited during Navratri fasts, a specially modified version using alternative, permissible ingredients is a popular and delicious option. This guide addresses the common question, 'Can we eat uttapam in Navratri fast?' by explaining the crucial ingredient substitutions that make it a suitable meal for the festive period.

Quick Summary

Yes, you can eat uttapam during Navratri by replacing restricted rice and lentils with vrat-compliant alternatives like sama rice, sabudana, and kuttu atta. These adjustments create a delicious and suitable version of the classic savory pancake for fasting periods.

Key Points

• Vrat-Friendly Ingredients Are Key: Traditional uttapam is not allowed, but you can make a fasting-compliant version using alternative flours and permitted vegetables.

• Substitute with Special Flours: Instead of rice and lentils, use flours made from sama rice (barnyard millet), sabudana, kuttu (buckwheat), or rajgira (amaranth).

• Use Sendha Namak: Regular table salt is restricted during Navratri fasting, so it must be replaced with rock salt (sendha namak) in all preparations.

• Avoid Onion and Garlic: Alliums like onion and garlic are considered tamasic and are not used in Navratri fasting food.

• Serve with Fasting Chutney: Pair your vrat uttapam with a mint-coconut chutney or potato curry prepared with fasting-approved ingredients.

The Core Rules of Navratri Fasting

Before diving into the uttapam recipe, it's essential to understand the basic dietary restrictions observed during Navratri. The fast is primarily aimed at purifying the body and mind by consuming light, sattvic foods. This means certain categories of food are strictly avoided, while others are allowed. The key restrictions include:

• Grains and Pulses: Standard grains like wheat, rice, semolina (rava), and most pulses and beans are forbidden. This is the main reason traditional uttapam, which relies on rice and urad dal, is not allowed.
• Onion and Garlic: These pungent, tamasic ingredients are considered unsuitable for the fast and are therefore avoided in all fasting preparations.
• Regular Salt: Common table salt is replaced with rock salt, or sendha namak, which is considered purer and acceptable for fasting.
• Non-vegetarian Food: Meat, fish, and eggs are strictly off-limits during this nine-day period.

Can We Eat Uttapam in Navratri Fast? The Clear Verdict

Based on the dietary guidelines, the answer to 'Can we eat uttapam in Navratri fast?' is a resounding yes, but only if it's a specially prepared 'vrat' or 'farali' version. By swapping out the non-compliant ingredients with fasting-approved alternatives, you can create a wholesome and satisfying meal that perfectly fits the Navratri tradition. These modifications allow you to enjoy the same flavors and textures without compromising the sanctity of the fast.

What Makes an Uttapam Vrat-Friendly?

The secret to a Navratri-friendly uttapam lies in smart substitutions. Instead of relying on rice and urad dal for the batter, recipes use alternative flours and binding agents that are permissible during fasting.

Common Vrat-Friendly Flour Replacements:

• Sama Ke Chawal (Barnyard Millet): This is one of the most popular substitutes for rice during Navratri. Sama rice flour can be ground to make a batter that creates a texture similar to traditional uttapam.
• Sabudana (Tapioca Pearls): Often used in conjunction with other flours or grated potatoes, soaked sabudana adds a binding and chewy texture to the uttapam, making it a delicious and filling option.
• Kuttu ka Atta (Buckwheat Flour): A versatile flour used for making rotis, puris, and dosas, kuttu flour can also form the base of a crispy and savory uttapam.
• Singhare ka Atta (Water Chestnut Flour): Another common fasting flour, singhara atta works well in a batter, especially when mixed with grated vegetables or potatoes.
• Rajgira ka Atta (Amaranth Flour): This flour is a nutritional powerhouse and can be used to make a nutritious and fast-compliant uttapam batter.

Vrat Uttapam vs. Regular Uttapam: A Comparison

To highlight the necessary changes, here's a quick comparison of the ingredients and characteristics of a traditional uttapam versus its fasting counterpart.

Feature	Regular Uttapam	Vrat (Fasting) Uttapam
Flour Base	Rice and Urad Dal	Sama Rice, Sabudana, Kuttu Atta, Rajgira Atta, or Singhara Atta
Toppings	Onions, tomatoes, chillies, coriander	Tomatoes, green chillies, coriander, grated vegetables like carrot or pumpkin
Salt	Regular table salt	Sendha Namak (Rock Salt)
Fermentation	Essential for a soft, fluffy texture	Not always required; some recipes are 'instant'
Spice	A wider range of spices allowed	Limited to black pepper, cumin seeds, green chillies
Flavour	Tangy due to fermentation	Can be savory or slightly sour depending on ingredients like yogurt

How to Prepare Your Own Vrat Uttapam

Creating a delicious vrat uttapam is simple once you have the right ingredients. A popular and satisfying recipe involves sama rice and sabudana.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Sama Rice
• 1/4 cup Sabudana
• 1 boiled and grated Potato
• 1 tsp Cumin powder
• 1 tsp Grated ginger
• Chopped green chillies (to taste)
• Chopped tomatoes
• Chopped coriander leaves
• Sendha Namak (Rock Salt) to taste
• Water for batter
• Ghee or oil for cooking

Process:

1. Prepare the Flour: Soak the sama rice and sabudana separately for a few hours. Grind them into a coarse powder.
2. Make the Batter: In a bowl, combine the ground sama-sabudana mixture with the grated potato, cumin powder, grated ginger, chopped green chillies, and sendha namak. Add water gradually, stirring to create a thick, flowing batter. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes.
3. Cook the Uttapam: Heat a non-stick tawa or skillet and grease it with ghee or a fasting-approved oil. Pour a ladleful of batter and spread it gently, keeping it thicker than a dosa. Sprinkle chopped tomatoes and coriander leaves on top.
4. Cover and Cook: Drizzle a little more ghee around the edges. Cover the pan and cook on medium-low heat until the bottom is golden brown and crispy.
5. Flip and Serve: Flip the uttapam and cook the other side for a minute or two until the toppings are cooked. Serve hot with a fasting-friendly chutney or plain curd.

Conclusion

While the original rice-and-lentil-based uttapam is a Navratri no-go, the vrat-friendly version stands as a delicious and nourishing alternative. By understanding the fasting rules and creatively substituting forbidden ingredients with permissible ones like sama rice, sabudana, and rock salt, you can enjoy a perfect savory uttapam. This ensures that you can honor your fasting tradition with a satisfying meal that keeps you energized and delighted throughout the nine sacred days.

Serving Suggestions for Your Vrat Uttapam

To make your vrat uttapam experience even better, pair it with these delicious accompaniments:

• Mint-Coconut Chutney: A fresh and cooling chutney made with coconut, mint leaves, green chillies, and rock salt is a perfect match.
• Aloo Sabzi: A simple, dry or gravy-based potato curry prepared with cumin seeds, ginger, and green chillies complements the uttapam beautifully.
• Curd (Dahi): A side of plain, unsweetened yogurt or buttermilk (lassi) offers a cool and calming contrast to the savory pancake.

For more detailed rules on Navratri fasting, you can consult reputable sources like The Times of India.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is regular uttapam not allowed during Navratri?

Regular uttapam is typically made with a batter of rice and urad dal (black gram lentils). Both rice and lentils are prohibited grains during the Navratri fasting period, which necessitates using alternative, fasting-approved ingredients.

What flour should I use to make uttapam for Navratri?

You can use a variety of fasting-compliant flours such as sama rice flour (barnyard millet), kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour), rajgira ka atta (amaranth flour), or singhare ka atta (water chestnut flour).

Can I use sabudana for my Navratri uttapam?

Yes, sabudana (tapioca pearls) is a great ingredient for making vrat uttapam. It is often combined with sama rice or grated potatoes to create a delicious and wholesome batter.

Is onion allowed as a topping for vrat uttapam?

No, onions and garlic are strictly avoided during Navratri fasting as they are considered tamasic foods. You should use other permitted vegetable toppings instead.

What kind of salt can I use for Navratri recipes?

During Navratri, you must use rock salt, or sendha namak, instead of regular table salt for all your fasting food preparations.

What chutney can I serve with vrat uttapam?

A mint-coconut chutney made with green chillies and rock salt, or even a simple side of plain yogurt (dahi), are excellent and fasting-compliant choices.

Are there instant recipes for Navratri uttapam?

Yes, many recipes use ingredients like sama rice flour or sabudana that do not require a long fermentation period, allowing you to prepare the uttapam quickly after a short soaking time.