Singhare ka halwa (water chestnut flour halwa)
A quick, rich halwa of water chestnut flour for fasting days.
Preparation5 min
Cooking15 min
Servings4
Fasting (vrat) suitability
No grainsNo saltNo onion or garlicMade without cereals or pulses, so many families take it on fasting days such as Ekadashi or Navratri.
Fasting and offering customs differ between families, regions and sampradayas — some avoid all salt, milk, sugar or certain vegetables. Follow your own tradition and your elders’ guidance.
Offered on
Devi on Navratri; a phalahar sweet for Ekadashi and Shivaratri
Ingredients
For 4 servings. 1 cup = 240 ml.
- ½ cup water chestnut flour (singhare ka atta)
- ⅓ cup ghee
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 1½ cups water (or half milk, half water)
- ½ tsp cardamom powder
- 1 tbsp chopped almonds
Method
- Heat the water and sugar together until the sugar dissolves; keep it hot.
- Melt the ghee and roast the flour on low heat, stirring constantly, until it darkens slightly and smells toasty (6–8 minutes).
- Pour in the hot sugar water slowly while stirring briskly.
- Cook until the halwa thickens and leaves the sides of the pan.
- Add cardamom and almonds and offer warm.
Water chestnut flour thickens fast — keep stirring. Some families avoid milk-based sweets on certain fasts.
Also offered on these festivals
Recipes written by our editorial team from common household practice. Measures: 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 tbsp = 15 ml, 1 tsp = 5 ml.