Healthy Recipes Healthy Lifestyle Diets Healthy Vegetarian Recipes 19 Delicious Vegetarian Recipes to Help You Celebrate Diwali By Pooja Makhijani Pooja Makhijani Instagram Website Pooja Makhijani is a writer and editor in New Jersey. Her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, Real Simple, The Atlantic, WSJ.com, The Cut, Teen Vogue, Epicurious, Publishers Weekly, ELLE, Bon Appétit, The Kitchn, BuzzFeed and Catapult, among others. Her essay, "The Path to an American Dream, Paved in Vienna Fingers," was named Notable in The Best American Food Writing 2019. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on October 20, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Diwali is a major festival across South Asia and in the South Asian diaspora, and is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over dark, knowledge over ignorance—although the deities, rituals and stories that are associated with the holiday differ from region to region, community to community. Regardless of these particulars, Diwali is a time for abundance, including celebratory meals with friends and family, and lots of sweet treats. Traditional recipes, like bhindi masala (stir-fried okra) and eggplant bhartha (roasted eggplant), and modern takes, from tandoori tofu to no-churn ice cream with cardamom and saffron, will make for your best celebration yet! Just a note that all the recipes in this collection are vegetarian; Diwali is a religious holiday and many abstain from meat during these auspicious days. 01 of 19 Chickpea Curry (Chhole) View Recipe Conveniently made with canned chickpeas, rather than dry chickpeas (as it is traditionally), this hearty, nutty North Indian stew can be served with naan or basmati rice. 02 of 19 Tandoori Tofu View Recipe A tandoori-inspired spice rub and smokiness from the grill flavor these tofu "steaks"—the perfect centerpiece to any vegetarian meal when served alongside grilled peppers, onions and tomatoes. 03 of 19 Indian-Spiced Kale & Chickpeas View Recipe This quick dish takes its flavor from garam masala—a ground spice mixture commonly used in South Asian cooking that usually includes coriander, cumin, cinnamon, peppercorns, cardamom and cloves. 04 of 19 Baingan Bharta (Punjabi Spicy Roasted Eggplant) View Recipe This rich eggplant dish can be served with basmati rice and naan; it often tastes better the next day (if you have leftovers!). 05 of 19 Okra Fry (Bhindi Masala) View Recipe Okra is prepared in various ways across South Asia: fried, stuffed, stir-fried. Here, the vegetable is cooked over high heat in a nonstick pan to avoid any sliminess. 06 of 19 Cauliflower Tikka Masala with Chickpeas View Recipe Tikka masala isn't South Asian at all, but an invention of the subcontinent's British colonizers. Chicken tikka masala is a popular restaurant dish; this vegetarian version swaps the meat for cauliflower and chickpeas. 07 of 19 Chickpea & Potato Curry View Recipe This South Asian-style curry comes together with frozen peas and canned tomatoes and chickpeas; serve with naan to sop it all up. 08 of 19 Yellow Split Pea Sambar with Turnip, Eggplant & Okra View Recipe Eva Kolenko Sambar (lentil-and-vegetable stew) is eaten across Southern India. Its essential flavor comes from sambar powder, a mixture that includes coriander, fenugreek, cumin, black peppercorns, red chiles and asafetida. 09 of 19 Indian Mango Dal View Recipe Dal, an umbrella term for lentils and legumes, is central to nearly every South Asian meal. Here, yellow lentils (toor dal) and mango are cooked in a more traditionally southern Indian style—more souplike. 10 of 19 Slow-Cooker Dal Makhani View Recipe Dal makhani is a regal and rich dish—it's buttery and creamy and pairs well with naan and yogurt. For the creamiest results, use whole urad dal (versus split). 11 of 19 Daal Tarka (Spiced Lentils) View Recipe Jenny Huang Tadka (aka tarka) is an essential South Asian cooking technique. Spices are bloomed in hot fat, intensifying or altering their flavors. 12 of 19 Winter Vegetable Dal View Recipe This southern-Indian-inspired dal is enriched with coconut milk and a tadka of spices. Curry leaves impart both flavor and aroma. 13 of 19 Lemon Rice (Chitrannam) View Recipe Another centerpiece for a festive meal—lemony, spicy, nutty twice-cooked rice. Urad dal and roasted chana dal add texture to this colorful dish. 14 of 19 Spelt Indian Flatbread View Recipe Chapati are skillet flatbreads traditionally made from atta or finely milled wheat flour; here, nutty spelt is used instead. They are a must-have on the South Asian table, perfect for scooping up dal or vegetables. 15 of 19 Cilantro Chutney View Recipe Chutneys are also a must, and this herby green chutney recipe serves as a condiment for many snacks, street foods and sandwiches. The serrano chile gives it quite a blast of heat. 16 of 19 View Recipe Inspired by lassi, a yogurt-based drink, this frozen pie recipe gets flavor from cardamom and lime zest. 17 of 19 View Recipe Ryan Liebe Kulfi, or South Asian frozen custard, is the inspiration for this no-churn dessert. Rather than using an ice cream maker, you whip the cream mixture to form soft peaks before freezing it. 18 of 19 View Recipe Burfi is often served and gifted during Diwali. Usually made with condensed milk, it's a decadent sweet. This version uses nonfat dry milk powder and almond flour instead. 19 of 19 View Recipe Pooja Makhijani These cardamom-spiced shortbread cookies were inspired by the Indian sweet kaju katli. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit