Delicious and Nutritious: Upwas Thalipeeth Recipe for Fasting Days

Fasting, or "upwas," is an integral part of Indian spiritual and cultural life. Whether observed during Navratri, Ekadashi, Mahashivratri, or other religious days, upwas involves not only abstaining from regular food but also consuming special meals that are both light and spiritually pure. One such savory treat that stands out in the array of fasting recipes is Upwas Thalipeeth — a flavorful, filling, and nutritious flatbread made using fasting-friendly flours and ingredients.
What is Upwas Thalipeeth?
Thalipeeth is a traditional Maharashtrian multigrain flatbread usually made with a mixture of flours, spices, and vegetables. The Upwas version of Thalipeeth, however, is made using flours allowed during fasting — primarily rajgira (amaranth), sabudana (sago), and singhara (water chestnut) flour. It is spiced with green chilies, cumin, ginger, and sometimes peanuts for a boost of taste and energy.
It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside — perfect to be served with curd, vrat-special chutney, or even homemade white butter.

Ingredients:
Here's what you’ll need to prepare Upwas Thalipeeth for 2-3 servings:
● 1/2 cup Rajgira flour (Amaranth flour)

● 1/4 cup Singhara flour (Water chestnut flour)

● 1/4 cup Sabudana flour (or coarsely ground soaked sabudana)

● 1/2 cup boiled and mashed potato

● 1/4 cup roasted and crushed peanuts

● 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves

● 2 green chilies, finely chopped

● 1-inch ginger, grated

● 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

● Rock salt (Sendha namak), as per taste

● Water, as required to knead the dough

● Ghee or oil (preferably peanut oil), for roasting


Preparation:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
● In a mixing bowl, combine rajgira flour, singhara flour, sabudana flour, mashed potato, crushed peanuts, cumin seeds, chopped chilies, grated ginger, and salt.

● Mix everything well and start adding water gradually to make a soft dough. The dough should be pliable but not too sticky.

● Let it rest for 5-10 minutes, covered.

Step 2: Shape the Thalipeeth
● Unlike chapatis, Thalipeeth is not rolled out with a rolling pin because the dough can be delicate.

● Wet a clean banana leaf, butter paper, or a ziplock bag and lightly grease it.

● Take a small portion of the dough (about the size of a lemon), place it on the leaf or bag, and gently flatten it using wet fingers into a round flat disc. Make a small hole in the center to help it cook evenly.

Step 3: Cook the Thalipeeth
● Heat a tawa or griddle on medium flame.

● Gently lift the flattened dough along with the paper and transfer it onto the hot tawa (peel off the paper carefully).

● Add ghee or oil around the edges and into the center hole.

● Cover and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side or until it turns golden brown and crispy.

Repeat the same with the remaining dough portions.

Serving Suggestions:
Upwas Thalipeeth tastes amazing when served hot with:
● Chilled homemade curd or dahi

● Coconut chutney made with rock salt and fasting ingredients

● Sweet lemon pickle or cucumber raita

● A drizzle of homemade white butter or ghee for extra flavor


Tips and Variations:
● You can add grated lauki (bottle gourd) or cucumber to the dough for added moisture and taste.

● If you don’t have sabudana flour, grind soaked sabudana into a coarse paste or skip it altogether.

● Roasted peanuts not only give crunch but also provide essential energy during fasting.

● Always use rock salt (sendha namak) instead of regular salt for fasting recipes.


Why It’s Perfect for Fasting:
Upwas Thalipeeth is gluten-free, rich in protein, and easy to digest. It keeps you full for longer hours, helps maintain energy levels, and satisfies cravings with its crisp texture and earthy flavors. The ingredients used are sattvik and in accordance with fasting traditions, making it both spiritually and physically nourishing.

Final Thoughts:
Fasting doesn't have to be bland or boring. With dishes like Upwas Thalipeeth, you can indulge in a wholesome, delicious meal without breaking your vrat discipline. It’s a perfect blend of taste, tradition, and nutrition. So next time you're observing a fast, ditch the plain sabudana khichdi and give this vibrant, hearty thalipeeth a try!