Observing a fast during Ganeshotsav does not always mean going without a proper meal. Depending on household customs, people may eat ingredients such as potatoes, sabudana, sama rice, buckwheat flour, water chestnut flour, fruit and dairy products.
Finding these dishes on a food-delivery app Zomato can still take some effort. Restaurants may use terms such as vrat, upvas, farali or falahari for fasting menus. These labels are not standard, so customers should read the ingredients before ordering. Here are some meal combinations to consider through the day.
Breakfast: Sabudana Khichdi With Curd
Sabudana khichdi can serve as a breakfast or early lunch. It is commonly prepared using tapioca pearls, potatoes, peanuts, cumin and spices. Plain curd can be added as an accompaniment if dairy is allowed during the fast.
When ordering, check whether the restaurant uses sendha namak. Sabudana khichdi sold as a regular breakfast dish may contain standard salt or ingredients that do not follow your fasting rules.
Peanuts are used in many recipes. Customers with an allergy should avoid the dish unless the restaurant confirms that it can prepare a peanut-free version.
Lunch: Kuttu Puri With Potato Curry
Kuttu puri with potato curry can provide a complete lunch. Kuttu, or buckwheat flour, is used in place of wheat flour during some fasts. The potato curry may be dry or contain gravy.
Check whether the puris are made entirely with kuttu flour. Some kitchens may mix it with wheat flour to improve the dough. The curry should also be checked for onion, garlic, turmeric, packaged spice mixes and regular salt.
Fried puris can soften during delivery, so consider ordering from an outlet close to your address.
Lunch Alternative: Sama Rice Pulao and Raita
Sama rice, also known as samak or barnyard millet, can be prepared as pulao or khichdi. Potatoes, peanuts and permitted spices may be added.
Pairing it with plain cucumber raita can turn it into a meal. However, confirm whether the raita contains regular salt, boondi or packaged masala. If the app allows instructions, ask the restaurant to leave out any seasoning that does not fit your fast.
One-Box Option: Vrat Thali
A vrat thali is an option when you do not want to assemble a meal from separate dishes. It may include sama rice, sabudana khichdi, potato curry, curd, fruit and kuttu or singhara puri.
The contents change between outlets. Read the list rather than relying on the photograph. A thali shown with dessert or a drink may not include them in the delivered order.
Light Meal: Fruit Bowl With Curd or Lassi
A mixed fruit bowl can be a good option for people following a fruit-based fast or looking for something light but filling. It may contain banana, apple, papaya, watermelon, pomegranate and seasonal fruits.
Choose a plain bowl instead of fruit chaat if you avoid regular salt or chaat masala. Curd, sweet lassi or a milkshake can be added when dairy is permitted.
Flavoured drinks may contain syrups, ice cream, nuts or added sugar. Read the description before including them in the order.
Evening Meal: Sabudana Vada With Curd
Sabudana vada can be ordered as an evening meal or snack. It combines tapioca pearls, potato and peanuts and is usually deep-fried. Restaurants may serve it with curd or a peanut-based chutney.
The cooking oil matters for people following strict rules. Ask whether the same oil is used for wheat-based snacks or food containing restricted ingredients.
Check the number of pieces as well. A plate intended as a snack may not be sufficient as a complete meal.
Dinner: Singhara Puri and Pumpkin or Potato Curry
Singhara flour, made from water chestnuts, is another flour used during fasting. Singhara puris may be paired with pumpkin, potato or arbi preparations.
This combination may be harder to find than a kuttu meal. Search for “singhara,” “upvas meal” and “falahari thali” to improve the chances of finding it.
Confirm that the vegetable dish does not contain onion, garlic, standard salt or a commercial spice mix.
Simple Dinner: Jeera Aloo With Curd
Jeera aloo and plain curd can form a simple meal, but a standard restaurant preparation may not be suitable for fasting. It can contain regular salt, turmeric, onion or garlic.
Look for a vrat-specific version rather than ordering the dish from a regular menu. Ask whether sendha namak and permitted spices are used.
Dessert: Makhana Kheer or Dry-Fruit Laddoo
Makhana kheer is prepared with fox nuts, milk and sugar or jaggery. Cardamom and dry fruits may also be added. Dry-fruit laddoos can contain dates, figs, almonds and cashews.
Both can be considered when their ingredients match the household’s fasting rules. A “no added sugar” label does not mean the item contains no sugar, as dates or jaggery may still be used.
Also Read: Ganesh Chaturthi Modak Guide: Types, Ingredients and Prices