As the loved up ones make plans for Valentine’s Day, several households in India will be preparing for celebrations of a different kind. On February 13/14, devotees of Lord Shiva across the world will be observing Maha Shivaratri (the Great Night of Shiva). For ardent devotees, this means staying awake through the night chanting prayers, meditating and fasting.
If there is a Shiva temple in your neighbourhood then I urge you to plan a visit to see the festivities and perhaps have some bhaang too.
There are several legends about the origin of Maha Shivaratri – an aunt of mine said it is the night Lord Shiva married Parvati, a friend said it is the night the deity created the world, another said it is the night of Lord Shiva’s tandav. And yet another said it is Lord Shiva’s birthday!
At home, the parents go to a temple and all of us fast for the day. This does not mean ‘no food, no water’. It simply means eating sattvik food. And each year, our neighbour sends over a platter of upvaas (fast) goodies. It is on this platter that I discovered the singhada ka halva or Indian water chestnut halva.
The best part about this halva is it can be made any time of the year, can be eaten piping hot or cut into squares to be stored. It is pretty healthy too. So when I asked our neighbour for the recipe, she sportingly stepped into the kitchen to teach and oversee the learning process.
Water chestnut/singhada halva is healthy, cooks in a jiffy and turns out delicious.
- 100 grams Indian water chestnut flour / Singhada / Water caltrop
- 100 grams Jaggery
- 2 cups Water
- 2 teaspoon Ghee
- ½ cup Roasted almonds / Pistachios (slivered)
- In a clean big bowl, take one cup of water and dissolve the jaggery.
Place a thick-bottomed pan on low flame, add the ghee and let it melt. Pour in the flour. Stir constantly and roast till it gives out a nutty smell. Be careful while doing the sniff test though… I almost tumbled into the pan!
Pour in the dissolved jaggery along with the remaining water and stir as if your life depends on it! This is imperative for the flour thickens quickly and can be lumpy if not whisked/stirred into submission.
- Serve it piping hot, sprinkled with slivers of almonds and pistachio.
- Roasted flour has a deeper colour and adds flavour. But be careful. Too much roasting means burnt flour.
- You MUST serve the halva hot; this sweet dish turns into a lumpy mass when cold. If you plan to eat it later, then cut it into pieces. How? Keep a small greased dish handy before you start cooking. Once cooked, spread the halva on the plate, let it cool and then cut.
Do let me know what you think of the water chestnut recipe in the comments section below. If you post a photo on Instagram, tag (and follow) From The Corner Table. You can also follow the blog on Facebook and Pinterest; subscribe to be a part of the mailing list for regular updates.
