How To Make Falhaari Namkeen At Home During Sawan Somvar Fast
Many people avoid grains, pulses and regular salt during this time, opting instead for ingredients such as potatoes, sabudana (sago), milk, curd, and buckwheat flour, along with rock salt. While dishes like sabudana khichdi, buckwheat puri and sabudana tikki are popular, falhaari namkeen stands out as a delicious, crunchy snack ideal for fasting days.
What Is Falhaari Namkeen?
Falhaari namkeen is a traditional vrat (fasting) snack, commonly prepared during Sawan, Navratri, and other fasting occasions. It is made with a mix of ingredients including makhana (fox nuts), aloo lachha (potato sticks), dry fruits, peanuts, black pepper, and rock salt. Lightly sweet and savoury, it is easy to prepare and far healthier than most store-bought namkeen options.
Step-by-Step Recipe For Falhaari Namkeen
1. Prepare Aloo Lachha
Take two medium-sized potatoes. Peel, wash and grate them. Soak the grated potatoes in water for 15 minutes to remove excess starch. Then strain them using a cotton cloth, squeeze out the water, and spread them out to dry slightly. Once dry, fry the potato lachha in oil over a low flame until golden and crisp. Keep aside.
2. Fry Makhana And Dry Fruits
Heat one tablespoon of ghee in a pan. Lightly roast one cup of makhana until crisp. In the same pan, add a little more ghee and fry almonds, cashews, and peanuts until golden. Set aside.
3. Mix Everything Together
In a large bowl, combine the fried aloo lachha, makhana, and dry fruits. Add roasted cumin powder, black pepper powder, and rock salt. Mix thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly.
4. Prepare Curry Leaf Tadka
Heat ghee in a small pan and fry a few curry leaves until crisp. Allow them to cool, crush them slightly, and add them to the namkeen mix. This step adds an extra punch of flavour.
5. Add Powdered Sugar
To balance the flavours, grind a quarter cup of sugar into a fine powder using a mixer. Add it to the namkeen and mix well. The result is a lightly sweet, crunchy mixture perfect for fasting snacks.
Why Make Falhaari Namkeen At Home?
This homemade vrat snack is not only simple to prepare but also allows you to control the ingredients and avoid preservatives. It is perfect for Sawan Somvar fasting, light on the stomach, and works as a midday pick-me-up during vrat. Plus, it can be stored in an airtight container for a few days.
This Sawan, try skipping the store-bought namkeen and make your own falhaari snack mix at home. It is flavourful, fresh, and keeps you energised through the fast. You may end up making it even when you are not fasting.
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