The festival of lights is right here, and we hope the darkness on this planet is taken away and we have a better and more peaceful place to live in. One of the most pious Hindu festivals, Diwali is celebrated in India and across the globe.

In some parts of India, the festival coincides with the Hindu New Year, which marks new beginnings and signifies light over darkness. Diwali is a celebration of good over evil and hope over despair. The festival of lights is celebrated by decorating homes with lights and diyas, observing religious rituals, exchanging gifts, sweets, and wishes with one another, and bursting fireworks.

Diwali is the most awaited festival of the year, where we treat ourselves and indulge in our favourite delicacies. Well, Diwali or any other festival celebrated in India is incomplete without family, fun, and loads of yummy snacks and sweets.

But for diet-conscious people and those with diabetes may find it a bit harder to relish sweet treats. Also, it can lead to potential guilt trips about the calorie intake and eventually the weight gained in a few days.

Also Read: Delightful Sugar-Free Desi Mithai Recipes To Light Up The Diwali Celebrations

Then why not give your Diwali blast a bit of a healthy and wholesome makeover? Here we bring you two mouth-watering sweets to indulge in a healthy and smart way and enjoy the festivity with great fervour and feast.

Hemp Kaju Barfi

Hemp, Kaju barfi is a simple and easy-to-make sweet that packs load of nutrients and health benefits.

Also Read: 6 Surprising Benefits Of Healthy Hemp Seeds

Ingredients

1 cup finely powdered, cashew nuts

½ cup finely powdered, hemp seeds

½ tsp cardamom powder

1 tsp ghee

¼ cup water

¾ cup jaggery

Silver sheets

Method

Sieve the cashew and hemp powder and ensure that there are no lumps and keep it aside

In a large pan take jaggery and water, stir well until jaggery dissolves and boil for a few minutes until 1 string consistency.

Now add cashew and hemp powder and blend well.

Stir regularly until the mixture is well combined and forms a smooth paste.

Now add ghee and cardamom powder and give it a nice mix. Cook until the mixture turns smooth and starts to separate.

In a tray, place a butter paper and grease with ghee, and pour the mixture onto the butter paper.

Now fold with a spatula until the mixture forms a dough.

Kneed slightly to form a soft dough using a rolling pin and roll slightly thick.

Spread ghee and apply silver leaf and cut into a diamond shape.

Enjoy tasty hemp cashew burfi.

Nutrition

Cashews are heaped with dietary fibre, healthy fats, and protein and are low in sugar. While they are a good source of minerals like copper, magnesium, and manganese vital for energy production, brain health, immunity, and stronger bones. Hemp seeds laden with omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids keep the arteries and blood vessels healthy and augment cardiac health. Jaggery offers an instant source of energy and iron to boost haemoglobin levels.

Gluten-Free Halwa

This halwa is a truly sumptuous festive delicacy which is nutritious and serve’s a great choice of dessert for people with gluten intolerance.

Ingredients

1 cup ragi

¼ cup ghee

1 mashed banana

2 tbsp soaked khus khus

½ cup jaggery powder

Handful of dry fruits and nuts

½ cup milk

Also Read: 5 Reasons To Add Ragi To Your Diet ASAP

Method

In a thick-bottomed tawa add ghee and roast the flour on a low flame until the aroma comes, keep it aside.

Blend the soaked khus khus to a fine paste and add this to the roasted flour and mix well without forming any lumps.

In a pan add 1 cup of water and blend with the mashed banana until fine consistency.

Add the banana mix to the flour and stir well so that no lumps are formed.

Now heat the tawa add jaggery and water and stir well until jaggery dissolves.

Now add the mixture and milk and cook on a low flame until the mixture thickens.

Finally add 2 tbsp ghee, and cardamom powder and blend well.

In a greased butter paper place the mixture cover it with another greased paper.

Roll it into a thin sheet, sprinkle with chopped dry fruits and nuts, and roll again for the nuts to stick.

Dry it for 3o-45 minutes and cut the halwa into the desired shape and serve.

Nutrition

Ragi is a gluten-free grain that is endowed with essential amino acids to enhance mental health promote memory, and concentration, and boost energy levels. A storehouse of antioxidants and other vital nutrients, nuts promote brain power and keep you satiated. Khus khus renders a unique nutty taste and natural sweet to the recipe. While it improves thyroid function and combat insomnia. Ghee is a good source of healthy fats and fat-soluble vitamins for strengthening bones and triggering the immune response.