Shakarkandi means sweet potatoes in Hindi and it has always been a part of Indian cuisine. About time we give it its due. This tuber is healthier than a normal potato. Sweeter too so can make both a dessert and a samosa. Kheerni or payasam has been around for ages. Shakarkandi kheer or sweet potato payasam is an easy upvas recipe. Unlike the other sweet potato recipes like crispy chips recipe, this one is creamy.
Shakarkandi recipes are sweetish in nature due to the inherent taste. Hence, this natural sweetness ensures you do not need to add extra sugar. We have been using it for ages. This was the main root vegetable in Indian food, before potatoes came in from Mexico.
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Hindu fasting period
We use a lot of tubers during Navratre and other festive fasting. Fasting has always been a part of our heritage. During religious fasting, Hindus eat gluten-free flours. Fasting recipes can be made vegan or might have dairy in it. Recipes for fasting days include, only dairy, fruit and some tubers. We also use minimal spices and nuts. Each vegetable that has been included has a specific usage in Ayurveda.
The key is to have all carbohydrate, protein, vitamins and minerals in spite of a restricted diet. Meat egg and fish etc are not eaten during this period. People fast pray and meditate to cleanse both body and soul. Apart from Navratri (March/April and September/ October), people also follow same dietary guidelines in saavan /sawan (july -august).
Benefits of shakarkandi
- It is a great source of Vitamin A & C
- Great for fiber intake.
- Helps manage diabetes
- Guards against ulcers
- Improves hair and skin
- Has a healthy dose of iron
- Enhances memory and helps manage blood pressure
This pudding is for the fit and those on the move. It also takes less time to make this dessert. You also need less added sugar as tuber is already sweet. It is also Healthier since it is a tuber and not a grain. Hence, also a nice way of feeding kids tuber.
If you want to make sweet potato kheer for babies, just avoid the sugar. Its best to avoid giving sugar to kids under < 1 year and avoid sugar based processed stuff as much as possible.
Ingredients
- Ghee
- Grated shakarkand
- Full fat milk
- Sugar
- Cardamom powder /elaichi
Equipment
- Grater
- Saucepan
How to make sweet potato kheer?
Read the steps below to see how to make sweet potato kheer for fasting .
- Grate the shakarkand.
2. Heat ghee or olive oil in a pan. Sauté tuber for few minutes.
3. Cook until it is soft and translucent.
4. Add milk to let it boil on low flame. Vegans can use coconut milk or oat milk as per their choice.
5. Add sugar to sweeten , turn off the heat when milk reduced by half.
6. Serve it warn or cold, garnishes with nuts.
Variations
You can make sweet potato kheer for babies, just don't add any additional sugar. You can also make sweet potato kheer with jaggery. However, be careful while adding jaggery as milk can split if not made correctly. Shakarkand ki kheer also tastes great with some rajgiri ki puri or kuttu ki poori. You can also make ratalyachi kheer this way using purple yam or ratalu.
I love making it in winters. Tastes great when you want something hot. Also, when I have a mid week craving for something sweet and there is no time to bake a chocolate cake.
What are some other interesting fasting recipes?
Yes , you can still enjoy your favorite foods even during fasting period. That is how fusion food has evolved. As long as you follow your rituals and guidelines, you can always have a pizza instead of kuttu puri.
What are different recipes of kheer?
If you want to make a rice during fasting period, you will have to use moraiyo or sama instead of basmati rice. Only vermicelli or seviyan kheer is not eaten during Hindu fasting periods.
Read the sweet potato payasam recipe below.
Shakarkandi kheer recipe
Equipment
- deep saucepan
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon ghee
- 400 gm grated sweet potato shredded
- 1.2 liter full fat milk
- 2 tbsp. sugar or more as per your taste
- Pinch of cardamom powder /elaichi
Instructions
- Heat ghee in a pan,add grated sweet potato to it.
- Roast it for about 10 minutes on low flame.
- Once roasted, add milk and let it boil on low flame.
- Now add sugar and a pinch of cardamom.
- Continue to simmer on a low flame for 20-25 or until milk is reduced by half.
- Turn off the heat. Serve hot or chilled.
FAQ
Yes, as it is a tuber. It is allowed during Hindu fasting periods.
Luke says
I tried an alternative improvised recipe. Instead of grating, you can grind it to a pulp. I used condensed milk to substitute both milk and sugar. Throw in chunks of almond and pistachio and a pinch of saffron. The result was not kheer but Shakarkand Halwa. It was yummy delicious. Try it.