Diwali (also called Deepavali) is the Hindu festival of lights, which is celebrated annually over five days of festivities and food-indulgence.
Most people who celebrate prepare sweets, savories and generous meal portions, tidy their homes and keep them lighted through the night, with lamps lit as a sign of celebration and hope. The Diwali festival is said to symbolize the victory of light over dark, good over evil and knowledge over darkness – and is intended to celebrate the good in everyone, prosperity, health, and knowledge. It is a time that brings people together, regardless of their culture; Diwali is the shared interest connecting unity for many people across the globe today.
Food can also bring people together. Especially when it is bursting with flavor and made from cruelty-free, compassion-rich ingredients. Hence, Diwali celebrations present a great opportunity for bonding over a love of vegan food or trying new plant-based dishes to enrich health and knowledge of kind food groups.
Pack your Diwali feast this year with a myriad of vegan dishes. Embrace the food often leaned on by ancient Indians. Here is an 11-strong hand-picked selection of vegan sweets, savories, and snacks, all which are perfect for your Diwali celebrations!
11 Recipes To Light Up a Vegan Diwali
1. Cashew Barfi Truffles
These sweet morsels are a staple for many Diwali celebrators. Cashew Barfi Truffles are a nod to the health benefits of nuts and a delightful treat to satiate sweet-tooth-initiated cravings amid light festival observations. They’re often vegan by default, as well as gluten-free and totally delicious.
Get the recipe here.
2. Samosa Stuffed Bread Pakoras
This modern version of a classic dish makes one amazing sandwich! These stuffed savory vegan French toasts are a Vegan Richa creation not to be turned down.! With a generous serving of savory and the soft potato stuffing, these make you well set to please guests, regardless of their typical diet.
Get the recipe here.
3. Coconut Almond & Rum Laddoos
Easy, festive and fun to make – these are the perfect Diwali festival snack. For those who would prefer an alcohol-free version, this can be made into Indian sweet Ladoo with cardamom instead of rum.
Get the recipe here.
4. Batatda Wada
Batatda Wada is a popular Mumbai street food. There are many different variations of this dish, but Dassana Amit has veganized it, deliciously. Helming the potato, it is essentially a fried fritter stuffed with potato. Say no more, you need to try one this Diwali!
Get the recipe here.
5. Apple Jalebis with Rabri Cream
Celebrate the food element of Diwali wholeheartedly. If that includes gorging on some apple fritters soaked in saffron-flavored syrup and served with sweet dairy-free cream every night of the week, we won’t judge. Totally Instagram-worthy, you exquisite dessert chef, you!
Get the recipe here.
6. Kashmiri Rogan Josh
Rogan Josh roughly translates to “red heat”. you’ll understand why after a few mouthfuls. Although the classic version of this dish demands meat – this recipe proves it can be made vegan (and ultra delicious). Plants are a curry’s best friend.
Get the recipe here.
7. Almond Kheer
You’ll be surprised at just how familiar this rice pudding tastes to classic, dairy-based versions. This will be loved by anyone with a dessert-adoring disposition or those who need a dish to cool the spicy fire after a hot main course.
Get the recipe here.
8. Bhurji Pav
This recipe is an oil-free and vegan version of a popular food that is available from food carts until the early hours of the morning. Some may think of it as vegan scrambled eggs on toast, but this has oodles more flavour and nutrients than its predecessor.
Get the recipe here.
9. Mutter Tempeh “Paneer”
As this spiced pea and tempeh curry shows, meat and dairy-free curry could well be your latest obsession, because it’s about the luscious palette of flavor plant-based dishes give you, not missing the animal-derived ingredients from traditional versions of the dish.
Get the recipe here.
10. Pakore Waali Punjabi Kadhi
Baked broccoli fritters in spiced coconut yoghurt gravy – you can’t go wrong with this easy appetizers or side dish that is conveniently gluten-free and vegan. Healthy and enticing, name a more iconic duo!
Get the recipe here.
11. Potato Quinoa Patties with Chickpea curry
Also known as tikki chole, these patties are a delectable dish that can be savored during Diwali and remade throughout the year to bring back happy memories. Plus, your kitchen will take on this enticing aroma reminiscent of India’s thriving street food scene.
Get the recipe here.
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
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