Healthy Navratri Fasting Recipe – Quinoa & Dates Ladoo

Protein, fiber, and energy-packed quinoa and dates balls that you can customize as per your taste buds. These are so easy and quick to make that there is no need to buy protein bars (or energy bars) from the store. Moreover, homemade ones always ensure the best quality and better taste. There are NO CHEMICALS or ARTIFICIAL FLAVOURS added.

These energy balls make a perfect evening snack or a morning energy bar. You can enjoy these quinoa balls or Quinoa Ladoo while fasting in the Navratri season. With this recipe, fasting days can be fun, energetic, and healthy.

What is Quinoa?

Quinoa has been introduced into the Western diet only recently and it is described as a superfood. But humans have been eating quinoa for 7000 years (source: www.nutritionfacts.org). Quinoa is a pseudo-cereal or technically a seed. It is exceptionally nutritious with a high protein content compared to cereals.

Quinoa is also rich in vitamin B complex, vitamins E & C, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, zinc, copper, and sodium. It contains fibers too. And for those who are on a diet and need to reduce weight, this is just for you. It is gluten-free too. Perfect. Isn’t it?

Is Quinoa a grain or a seed?

Quinoa is a pseudo-grain or a seed and it is actually a member of the spinach, chard, and beet family. It is often considered in a cereal grain group and it is also cooked like rice or other grains. But it is a seed of the Chenopodium plant. This plant is also used for medicinal purposes and its leaves are consumed as a vegetable. But this ancient ingredient is grown for its seeds and to cook many recipes like soup, bread, pulao, salad, cutlets, etc.

What are the benefits of quinoa?

Humans have been eating Quinoa for more than 7000 years. It is an ancient ingredient that has gained popularity in recent years. It is high in proteins and lots of other vitamins and minerals too. Quinoa is also rich in magnesium, zinc, and iron. Red and black quinoa have about twice the antioxidant power.

We consume it regularly and make salads, pulao, cutlets, energy balls, and even granola.

What are Protein-Bars or Energy Bars?

Protein Bars are nutrient-dense food items packed with dried fruits, nuts, seeds, nut butter, grains, sweeteners, etc. You can customize the recipe as per your taste. It is an easier way to include all vital nutrients (carbs, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fat) in your diet. You can have it for an easy breakfast or a healthy snack. You can eat it before a workout or pack it for your trips. Even a small bar can keep you full for a long time.

Homemade vs. store-bought Protein Bars

With homemade energy bars, the control of the ingredients is in your hands. You can buy the best quality ingredients and be rest assured of the food that you are consuming. A homemade one is without a doubt much healthier. Store-bought bars may contain sugar, artificial flavors, chemicals, etc. that I prefer to avoid especially when I want to eat something healthy.

These protein bars are quite easy and quick to make and can last for 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. But if you do not have time and want to buy ready-made ones, always check the ingredients and buy a good quality bar.

What is the Navratri Festival?

Navratri (also known as Navaratri or Navrate), is a joyous Hindu festival. It is celebrated over 9 to 10 days. “Navratri” is a word from the Sanskrit language – Nav means nine and Ratri means night. This festival is celebrated two times a year, once in the spring (Chaitra Navratri) and once in the autumn (Sharad Navratri). Sharad Navratri falls during September or October and is widely celebrated all across India.

One of the main aspects of Navratri is fasting (known as Vrat or Upvas). During fasting, devotees avoid eating some foods, like grains, pulses, onions, garlic, alcohol, and non-vegetarian items. But they eat fasting food items like fruits, nuts, dairy products, etc.

What food items are allowed in Navratri?

Food items that are allowed during the Navratri season are as follows:

1. Vegetables like potato, tomato, arbi, cucumber, carrot, bottle gourd, eggplant, pumpkin, etc.
2. Fruits
3. Dairy Products
4. Coconut
5. Nuts and Seeds
6. Quinoa, Buckwheat, Little Millet (Samai or Samak), Water Chestnut Flour (Singhade Ka Aata).
7. Spices like cumin seeds, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cardamom, carom seeds (ajwain), cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, etc.
8. Rock Salt

What food items are not allowed in Navratri?

Food items that are not allowed during the Navratri season are as follows:

1. Onion and Garlic: They are Tamsik in nature and hence not consumed.
2. Lentils and Pulses like moong dal, chana dal, kidney beans, chickpeas, etc.
3. Grains and their flours like wheat flour, gram flour (besan), etc.
4. Eggs, Non-Vegetarian Food Items like chicken.
5. Alcohol (some people avoid smoking too).
6. Salt
7. Canned Food Items

Everybody has their own beliefs and follows their own rules during the fasting period. That is why, I suggest you adjust the recipes based on how you follow your fasting and celebrate Navratri.

What grains (or pseudo-grains) can be consumed during Navratri?

Following grains or their flour can be consumed during the Navratri season:

1. Buckwheat or Buckwheat Flour (kuttu ka aata)
2. Amaranth (Rajgira)
3. Quinoa
4. Water Chestnut Flour (singhade ka aata)
5. Samai (samak ke chawal)

Is this recipe Vegan?

Yes. All the ingredients used in this recipe and plant-based and vegan. You can try other vegan recipes from the website like Avocado Hummus Sandwich, Protein-Rich Gond ke Ladoo (Indian Energy Balls), and Spinach Pesto.

How to store quinoa energy balls or quinoa ladoo?

You can store them at room temperature for around 2 to 3 weeks or maybe up to a month depending on the temperature in your location. You can even refrigerate it for a couple of months. They can last a long time in the refrigerator.

Ingredients List – for quick reference

More Quinoa Recipes – just as good

1. Grain-Free, Gluten-Free Quinoa Granola
2. No Onion, No Garlic Quinoa Pulao
3. Mix-Veg Quinoa Pulao
4. Quinoa Lentil Pulao
5. Mix-Veg Quinoa Cutlets

More Navratri Special Recipes

1. Mix-Veg Quinoa Pulao
2. Sabudana Thalipeeth
3. Kuttu Ka Cheela
4. No Onion, No Garlic Paneer Gravy
5. Ultra-Soft Kuttu Ki Roti Without Potatoes (Buckwheat Flour Tortilla)

Now grab all the ingredients because you are ready to make this sweet delight – quinoa and dates energy balls – at home. I am sure you and your family will enjoy it and make it again and again. You can enjoy these for a grab-and-go breakfast and also for a healthy and filling evening snack. Make a big batch and enjoy them every day.

If you try this recipe, please share your reviews in the comment section below. Do share a photo on Instagram and tag us @thefearlesscooking. We love seeing your recreation of our recipes.

Happy Cooking. 🙂

Love from us.

Richa