ganesh chaturthi recipes – sweet recipes as well as savory recipes

ganesh chaturthi or vinayaka chaturthi is one festival with which many of my childhood memories are associated. having grown up in mumbai, i have witnessed and been a part of this awesome festival all through my growing up years. this year ganesh chaturthi is starting on 2nd september 2019 and as usual will last for 10 days.

my parents would take us at the various ganesh pandals in south mumbai during the 10 day festival. every year we would visit my mom’s friends place in girgaum, mumbai. from her home, we would see the awesome processions on the last visargan day.

we would also have a huge pandal in our locality. we would also take part in the ganesh aarti both in the morning and in the evening. i have grown up experiencing the positive vibe and celebration which happens during the ganesha chaturthi festival.

ganesh chaturthi is celebrated with equal festivity and devotion in many states of india like maharashtra, karnataka, andhra pradesh, goa, gujarat and so on. the recipes which are prepared during ganesha chaturthi festival varies from state to state. e.g. modak or kozhukattai which is one of the favorite food of bhagwan ganesha is prepared differently and sundals which are prepared in south india are not made in maharashtra.

so while making any recipe for vinayaka chaturthi, please do check with your elders about the use of common ingredients like onion, garlic, spices or herbs etc as every community has different rules for fasting or festival recipes. many people don’t use onions while making ganesh chaturthi recipes. so if any recipe has made use of onions and you don’t use them then just skip the onions or any other excluded ingredient.

apart from modak, ladoos are also the most favorite food of bhagwan ganesha. i have given below some recipes from the blog that can be made during the ganesh chaturthi festival. most of the recipes mentioned below have vegan options also. if you are vegan then use oil instead of ghee and substitute dairy milk with coconut milk or almond milk. you can also check this collection of 35 sweets for ganesh chaturthi festival.

modak recipes for ganesh chaturthi festival

modak is the most favorite sweet of bhagwan ganesha. there are many types of modak prepared during ganesh chaturthi. but the most famous maharashtrian modak is steamed modak or ukadiche modak made from rice flour. many sweet shops serve readymade mava modak or peda modak in maharashtra. in some shops advance orders are taken for preparing modak.

if you plan to prepare sweets for bhagwan ganesha then modak and ladoos are two sweets which are must. you can make either boondi ladoo, rava ladoo, besan ladoo or coconut ladoo.

1. steamed modak or ukadiche modak – ukadiche modak is one of the most popular modak recipe made during ganesh chaturthi festival in maharashtra. this is a maharastrian modak recipe made from rice flour. its also called as ukadiche modak where the modak is steamed. a step by step post to make modak.

2. fried modak – these fried modaks are made with whole wheat flour with sweet coconut and jaggery filling. they can also be made with all-purpose flour (maida). again a step by step post to make modak.

3. kozhukattai recipe – kozhukattai or kolukattai is a festive south indian sweet of steamed dumplings made with rice flour dough and stuffed with a filling of coconut and jaggery. basically, kozhukattai is the south indian variation of modak made in maharashtra.

4. rava modak or semolina modak – (this is an easy modak recipe as no frying or steaming of the modak is required)

5. chocolate modak – prepared mainly from 3 ingredients chocolate, mawa or khoya and sugar.

6. dry fruits modak – sweet dumplings made from rice flour and stuffed with a mixture of mawa, poppy seeds, coconut and dry fruits.

7. sweet kozhukattai – south indian recipe variation of modak made with a stuffing of chana dal, coconut and jaggery.

8. mawa modak – quick and tasty modak made with khoya, sugar and cardamom powder.

9. mango modak – this modak is prepared with fresh mango pulp, khoya (evaporated milk solids), sugar and flavored with cardamom powder. mango modak has a delicious, rich, melt in the mouth and with a lovely taste of mangoes. to make these modaks, i have used fresh mango pulp. you can even use canned mango pulp. i chose alphonso mango since they are sweet but you can use any good quality of sweet and pulpy mangoes.

maharashtrian ganesh chaturthi recipes

each family has its own traditional and favorite dish that they prepare. i am sharing maharashtrian recipes from the blog, that can be made during the ganesha chaturthi festival. on the first day of ganesh chaturthi festival, modak is usually made.

1. puran poli – one of the most popular festive recipe. these sweet flat breads are specially made for ganesh chaturthi. you can also check this bobbatlu (holige) recipe.
2. patholi – steamed rice rolls made in turmeric leaves. made during gauri ganesha festival in the konkan and goan regions.
3. poori bhaji – maharashtrian version of potato curry with pooris.
4. varan bhaat – goan style varan bhaat made with lentils and coconut
5. kala vatana sambar – malvani style sambar made during ganesh chaturthi

6. alu vadi or patra – shallow fried and tempered steamed colocasia leaves, speciality snack from maharashtra and gujarat.
7. chawli usal – spicy coconut based curry made with black eyed beans
8. batata bhajji – crisp golden batter coated fried potato slices.
9. batata pohe or potato poha – easy to make and a popular breakfast dish from maharashtra.
10. aloo methi – dry curry made with baby methi leaves and potatoes.
11. khamang kakdi – popular maharashtrian cucumber salad. also known as kakdi chi koshimbir.
12. kothimbir vadi – crisp coriander steamed fritters.

14. sabudana vada – crisp fried patties made with tapioca pearls, peanuts and mashed potatoes. slightly sweet and spiced to taste.
15. suran chips – fried chips made from yam
16. moong dal khichdi – special khichdi offered as naivedyam for bhagwan ganesha.
17. varan bhaat – maharashtrian style – served as naivedyam to bhagwan ganesha.
18. sabudana khichdi – a delicious dish of tapioca pearls cooked with potatoes and peanuts. vegan & gluten free recipe.
19. sabudana thalipeeth – crisp and soft pancakes made with tapioca pearls, mashed potatoes, ground peanuts and spices.
20. batata bhaji or aloo sabzi – no onion no garlic batata bhaji or dry potato curry.

21. rice pooris – crisp as well as soft pooris made with rice flour. gluten free and vegan recipe.
22. kala vatana amti – no onion no garlic coconut based black peas curry.
23. katachi amti – thin spicy dal made from the strained stock of cooked chana dal/bengal gram. katachi amti is usually served with puran poli but also can be served with steamed rice.
24. masale bhaat – spicy and aromatic one pot traditional rice recipe with veggies from the maharashtrian cuisine.
25. maharashtrian kadhi – no onion no garlic kadhi recipe.
26. pooris – crisp, golden and soft pooris made with whole wheat flour, salt and water.
27 green peas usal –  a semi dry curry from the maharashtrian cuisine made with fresh peas (matar), coconut and spices. mild sweet tones and lightly spiced.
28. aloo vadi or patra – steamed & fried colocasia leaves rolls.
29. sabudana khichdi – a delicious dish of tapioca pearls cooked with potatoes and peanuts. vegan & gluten free recipe.
30. poha chiwda – crisp, crunchy, sweet, savory and mildly spiced mixture made with rice flakes or poha, dry fruits and spices.
31. amti recipe – a slightly spicy, sweet and sour maharashtrian dal made from pigeon pea lentils (arhar dal).
31. rishi panchami sabzi – rishi panchami is celebrated on the second day of ganesh chaturthi. one this day all sapta rishi (seven sages) are worshipped and remembered. rishi panchami bhaji comprises of a dish containing of mix veggies.

ganesh chaturthi sweet recipes

no festive occasion is complete without sweets and so is the ganesh chaturthi festival. some sweets from the blog that can be made during the ganesha festival.

ladoo recipes

1. coconut ladoo – these are melt in the mouth ladoos are made with desiccated coconut and can be offered to bhagwan ganesha. you can also have a look at these other delicious variations like coconut ladoo with khoya, instant coconut ladoo and coconut ladoo recipe made with condensed milk.
2. motichoor ladoo – melt in the mouth ladoos made from gram flour/besan. step by step recipe.
3. sabudana ladoo – (interesting variation of ladoo made from tapioca pearls that can be offered to bhagwan ganesha. can also be made during fasting or vrat)
4. besan ladoo – (ladoos made from gram flour and dry fruits. one of the most popular ladoo variery in india. specially on festivals like ganesha chaturthi, diwali, holi…)
5. rava ladoo – quick and easy recipe of rava ladoo made with semolina, khoya (evaporated milk solids) and desiccated coconut. gets done in 20 minutes. you can also make rava ladoo with khoya.
6. boondi ladoo – popular indian sweet made from gram flour batter.
7. atta ladoo – easy and quick to prepare delicious ladoos made with whole wheat flour, sugar and ghee.
8. maladu – ladoos made with roasted gram flour.
9. poha ladoo – quick and delicious ladoo made with thick poha (flattened rice or parched rice), jaggery and ghee.
10. til ladoo – simple recipe of ladoos prepared with sesame seeds, jaggery, peanuts and desiccated coconut. another variation is til til gud ladoo recipe.

note: for more delicious ladoo varieties you can check this collection of 23 ladoo recipes.

more sweets recipes

1. coconut barfi – smooth melt in the mouth fudge made with desiccated coconut and condensed milk. step by step recipe. can also be made into coconut ladoos. you can also make coconut barfi with khoya. for more delicious barfi recipes you can check this collection of 12 barfi recipes.
2. karanji – crisp flaky fried pastry stuffed with desiccated coconut and dry fruits. nevris are the goan version of the maharashtrian karanji and is made during ganesh chaturthi.
3. carrot payasam – creamy and smooth payasam made with carrots, jaggery and coconut milk.
4. rice payasam – konkan style payasam made with coconut milk and jaggery. vegan recipe. another variation is this south indian style paal payasam made with rice and milk. for more kheer recipes you can check this collection of 26 kheer recipes.

5. carrot halwa – (gajar halwa is one of the most popular halwa of india made almost all over india for festive occassions). you can also make carrot halwa with condensed milk.
6. lauki halwa – sweet indian dessert made from bottle gourd (dudhi).
7. atta ka halwa – a smooth sweet pudding made with whole wheat flour and ghee.
8. banana sheera – banana semolina pudding or halwa. often made during festive occasions or during ganesh puja or satyanarayan puja or devi puja or for any auspicious occasion.
9. moong dal halwa – addictive and delicious halwa made from moong dal (spilt husked yellow mung lentils).

10. apple halwa – sweet pudding made with apples, cinnamon and vanilla powder.
11. sooji halwa – classic indian semolina pudding made with semonlina (rava), ghee and dry fruits.
12. badam halwa – predominant taste and flavor in this badam halwa is only of almonds. if you are fond of almonds then you will like this almond halwa.
13. sweet potato halwa – (can be made during any religious fasting)
14. papaya halwa – (good for any religious fasting day)

note: for more halwa varieties you can check this collection of 31 halwa recipes.

15. sooji kheer – quick and easy to prepare semolina (rava) pudding.
16. seviyan kheer – vermicelli kheer is often served during festival or any occasion of celebration.
17. rice kheer – a favorite indian dessert made with basmati rice, milk, nuts and saffron.
18. kesar burfi – a vegan sweet recipe made with saffron, semonlina and almonds.
19. moong dal payasam – delicious creamy moong dal payasam made with yellow moong lentils, jaggery and coconut milk.
20. fruit custard – mixed fruits with custard – a popular indian dessert
21. dry fruits karanji – deep fried pastry made from whole wheat flour, stuffed with mawa, dry fruits, poppy seeds and desiccated coconut.
22. shankarpali – crisp, flaky, melt in the mouth fried and baked biscuits. a popular festive snack from maharashtra.
23. patholi – steamed rice rolls which are stuffed with fresh coconut and jaggery mixture.

south indian ganesh chaturthi recipes

1. idli
2. idli made with idli rava
3. sweet paniyaram
4. curd rice – a popular south indian rice variety that is served with a south indian meal or south indian thali.
5. lemon rice – crunchy, flavorful and sour rice recipe.
6. rava pongal – healthy breakfast recipe of pongal made with rava and moong dal.
7. ven pongal – popular south indian breakfast made with rice and yellow moong lentils.
8. udipi sambar – lightly sweet, semi spiced, tangy and a flavorful sambar made with pigeon pea lentils (tuhar dal) and mixed vegetables.
9. mysore bonda – crisp, soft and fluffy fritters made with urad dal, some spices and fresh coconut bits.
10. tomato rasam – easy recipe of tomato rasam made andhra style.
11. drumstick rasam – a tangy version of rasam made with drumsticks.
12. beetroot poriyal – or beetroot stir fry. poriyal is a preparation where the vegetables are sauted in spices and topped with grated coconut.
13. medu vada – crisp fried black grams donuts shaped fritters. popular south indian snack. no onion no garlic version.
14. coconut rice – light, mild south indian coconut rice recipe made with fresh grated coconut.
15. neer dosa – soft, thin, light and lacy crepes made with rice batter. no fermentation required.

sundal recipes for ganesh chaturthi festival

sundals are usually prepared in south india during ganesh chaturthi as well as for navratri festival. apart from above mentioned sundal recipes you can prepare sundal from sweet corn, moong beans, black eyed peas, peanut, chana dal also. the method to prepare sundal is more or less same with some variations here and there. sundals are good snack option, you can consider to quickly make for ganesh chaturthi.

1. rajma sundal
2. white chana sundal
3. green peas sundal
4. black chana sundal

wishing you all happy ganesh chaturthi. i pray that bhagwan ganesha bestows prosperity, luck, wisdom and blessings to everyone.

modak or modakam is the most favorite sweet of bhagwan ganesha. so it is the most popular sweet made during ganesh chaturthi festival. thus in the recipe card below, i have shared modak recipe.

PIN PRINT

modak recipe

5 from 2 votes

modak or modakam are tasty steamed sweet dumplings and bhagwan ganesha's favorite sweet.

Author:Dassana Amit

Prep Time:1 hr

Cook Time:10 mins

Course:sweets

Cuisine:indian,maharashtrian

Servings (change the number to scale):14

(1 CUP = 250 ML)

INGREDIENTS

for outer covering

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1 to 2 pinches salt
• ¼ teaspoon oil or ghee
• 1.5 cups water

for sweet stuffing

• ½ teaspoon oil or ghee
• ½ teaspoon poppy seeds - optional
• ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1 pinch nutmeg powder
• 1.5 cups fresh coconut - grated
• 1 cup jaggery - powdered or grated
• ½ teaspoon rice flour - optional

INSTRUCTIONS

making outer cover

• heat a pan and reduce flame to a low. add ghee or oil and then tip in the poppy seeds, cardamom powder and nutmeg powder. fry for a few seconds until the poppy seeds start crackling. 
• add the grated coconut and jaggery.
• mix very well. on a low flame cook the coconut and jaggery mixture till there is less moisture in the mixture. do not overcook.
• then add rice flour to this mixture which will help in absorbing any extra moisture.
• let this mixture completely cool.

making the outer cover dough

• combine water, salt and oil in a pan or saucepan.
• heat till the water comes to a boil.
• lower the flame and add rice flour. as soon as you add rice flour then stir and mix well.
• remove the pan from the stove-top and cover it with a lid.
• rest for 4 to 5 minutes.
• take the entire mixture in a large plate or board.
• begin to knead it. spread some water on your palms before kneading as the dough will be hot.
• knead the dough really well. if the dough appears crumbly, dense or dry, then sprinkling a few teaspoons of warm water continue to knead.
• pinch small portions from the dough and roll into small balls in the palms of your hand.
• cover the balls with a clean kitchen towel.

shaping modak

• take 2 to 2.5 cups water in a large pan and let it begin to heat on a stove-top
• grease the steamer pan with some oil or ghee.
• spread some ghee or oil in your palms before shaping modak.
• flatten the dough ball with your fingers to a round-shaped circle or a shallow bowl. place a portion of the sweet stuffing in the center with a spoon.
• pleat and press the edges. bring all the edges on the top and gently press to seal the top. get rid of any extra portion of the dough from the top. make modak this way with the entire dough and stuffing

steaming modak

• arrange all the modak neatly in the greased steamer pan.
• use a rack or steel stand and keep the steamer pan carefully on top of the rack. the water should have begun boiling in the pan.
• cover with a lid and steam for 10 to 15 minutes on a low flame.
• when the modak are done, drizzle a bit of ghee on top. serve modak to bhagwan ganesha.

NOTES

• you can even use modak moulds to make modak.

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