Navratri special: 5 tasty vrat-friendly curries made without onion and garlic

Navratri is here, and it’s that time of the year when devotees of Goddess Durga immerse their souls in devotion and spiritual cleansing. The 9-day-long Navratri fast revolves around pure satvik indulgence, wherein there are certain foods, spices and herbs that are strictly prohibited, such as onion and garlic. This is majorly due to the nature and potency of these foods, while garlic and onion are two of the most delightful additions to almost every desi curry, these two ingredients are considered Tamasic, thus they are avoided during Navratri. However, there are certain traditional delicacies that can be made without onion and garlic and still taste amazing. Read on to know more about these curries and how to nail the art of cooking with garlic and onions!



Lauki Aloo Curry
There’s no denying that lauki is that perfect summer staple, which can be prepared during the Navratri fasts. This simple and light dish can be made by grating bottle gourd, then tossing it slightly in ghee with cumin seeds, ginger, and red chilies. Once the lauki turns slightly golden, turn off the heat and add whisked curd, sendha namak and roasted cumin powder. Give it a nice mix and serve with sabudana roti or kuttu paratha.

Read on: Navratri 2024: 8 satvik curries to try at home


Tomato curry
A simple yet flavorful curry, tamatar curry is a staple during Navratri. It’s made by cooking fresh tomatoes with ginger, green chilies, and spices like cumin and sendha namak. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and enjoy with sabudana khichdi or rajgira roti. It’s tangy, comforting, and perfect for fasting days.

Aloo Tamatar Curry
Aloo curry is a comfort food that’s easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying. This Navratri-friendly version skips the onion and garlic and is prepared with fresh tomatoes, ginger, green chilies and curd. Add cumin seeds and coriander powder and serve hot with warm singhara puris for a filling meal.

Watch: How to make Navratri Special Kolhapuri Paneer

Kaddu Curry
Pumpkin is naturally sweet and soft, making it ideal for fasting curries. This dish is made by cooking pumpkin cubes with tomatoes, ginger, green chilies, and light spices like turmeric and cumin. A touch of coconut milk can add creaminess without overpowering the natural sweetness of the pumpkin. Pair it with buckwheat chapati for a nutritious meal.



Dahi Arbi Curry
Dahi Arbi Curry is a delicious, vrat-friendly curry made with arbi and is cooked in a creamy, spiced tomato-yogurt gravy. The addition of ginger and green chili paste to this curry gives this dish a flavorful twist. Add a dollop of ghee and coriander leaves, and serve hot with kuttu ki roti.