Singhare ka halwa

Singhare ka halwa or Singhare ke Aate ke halwa is a very easy, quick and delicious recipe prepared during Indian fasting festivals like Navratri and Shivratri. Made with water chestnut flour this gluten free dessert needs only a few basic ingredients and gets ready within minutes.

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These days, we are celebrating one of the major Hindu festivals – Navratri. This festival is celebrated to honor Hindu Goddess Durga– the Goddess of power and courage.

Navratri is celebrated twice a year and for nine nights, each time. Nav means nine and ratri means night. That’s the reason you saw me sharing recipes for this festival a few months back also.

What can be eaten during Navratri fast?

During Navratri, a lot of Hindu people observe fast. They also refrain from eating a lot of ingredients that are consumed on other normal days. What is allowed and what’s not varies from region to region. The rules of cooking and eating during Navratri may also be different in every family.

However, the things which are strictly prohibited are non-vegetarian food, eggs, alcohol, onion, garlic, grains like wheat, rice, corn, normal white salt, many vegetables like eggplant, cauliflower, etc.

Some people don’t even use turmeric, cumin, coriander seeds.

Top ingredients which are eaten during Navratri 

1. Sabudana (Sago)
2. Kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour)
3. Singhare ka aata (Water chestnut flour)
4. Rajgiri ka aata ( Amaranth flour)
5. Sama chawal (barnyard millet)
6. Makhane (Fox nuts)
7. Dry fruits and fruits
8. Vegetables like potato, taro, bottle gourd, etc
9. Dairy products
10. Himalayan rock salt

It’s said that there are scientific reasons behind these restrictions and fasting. The major scientific reason  is that they help in detoxifying the body.

The food which is prepared for celebrating Navratri or any fasting festival of India is called Vrat ka khana – Vrat means fast and khana means food.

The vrat ka khana always tastes delicious, different from the regular food but the best thing is that most of these recipes are very easy to make and need only a few basic ingredients. Who wants to spend hours in the kitchen after fasting the whole day.

Though I am not fasting, I try to make Vrat ka khana on these days as much as possible.

During Navratri, the aroma of food coming from the kitchen changes completely and has such a nostalgic feeling to it. 

My recipe of the day is a Navratri special recipe- Singhare ka halwa or Singhare ke aate ka halwa.

What is Singhare ka Halwa?

Singhare ka halwa is a gluten-free dessert made with Water chestnut flour.  This recipe is specially made during Navratri.

To make it, you just need to roast Water chestnut flour with some ghee (clarified butter) until it becomes fragrant then add dry fruits, sugar and green cardamom powder. Finally, add hot water or milk stirring continuously until its done which hardly takes 2-3 minutes.

Where to find Singhare ka aata or Water chestnut flour?

In India, its easily available in almost every grocery store. However, if you are not living in India, try checking it at Indian grocery stores in the section where you find flour and grains. During Navratri, it must be available. A lot of companies sell it with the name Singoda flour instead of Singhara flour.

I live in Dubai, so I know here it’s always available in the famous Indian grocery store – Al Aadil.

If you couldn’t find it in the market, it’s available online here.

Tips to make Singhare ka Halwa

• The most important tip to make perfect Singhare ka halwa is not to leave it unattended while cooking. Unlike other halwa, it gets roasted very quickly (5-6 minutes).
• Roast it nicely; until it becomes fragrant otherwise you will be able to taste the raw flour. Don’t overdo also, otherwise, it will get burnt.
• Add hot water to the halwa otherwise, lumps will get formed in it. Always keep some extra hot water than needed in the recipe, so that if you feel the need of adding more, you don’t have to rush to boil again.
• After adding the water, don’t stop stirring until it’s done otherwise lumps will get formed. It’s not much work as the halwa will get ready within 2-3 minutes of adding the water.

Even if you are not fasting or don’t celebrate Navratri, try this easy dessert at least once. It’s delicious.

More Navratri recipes on my blog

• Vrat wale aloo
• Sabudana kheer
• Sabudana khichri
• Sabudana vada
• Aloo ka raita
• Orange kheer

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