Diwali is all about celebration and eating all things festive. It is not easy to follow a healthy diet when a festival is around and everyone is bingeing on festive delicacies. If you wish to maintain your diet but want to have all the sweets guilt-free, we have got you covered. This 2024 diwali, make healthy and diet-friendly mithai using Turkish Hazelnuts. Let us understand the benefits and some hazelnut mithai recipes that you can try this festive season.
Health Benefits of Turkish Hazelnuts
Turkish hazelnuts is a variety of hazelnuts that are grown in Turkey, which is said to be the largest producer of hazelnuts across the globe. Additionally Turkish hazelnuts are high-quality and have a higher healthy fats percentage as compared to other varieties. Here are some benefits of consuming Turkish hazelnuts as told by Mansi Ahuja, Representative of Turkish Hazelnuts in India:
- Good for digestion
- Rich in vitamins and minerals
- Regulates blood sugar levels thus good for diabetics
- Reduces inflammation
- Helps boost immunity
- Reduces cholesterol and improves heart health
- May cut down the risk of cancer
- Good for skin and hair
Healthy Mithais for Diwali
Include hazelnuts along with your other preferred nuts this festive season to make something new in sweets which is delectable yet guilt-free and healthy, here are some mithai recipes that you can try.
1. Turkish Hazelnut Dates
Dates are considered as the healthiest alternative to sugar. These have natural sugar that doesn’t spike up abruptly which makes them good for diabetics and those on a diet. In addition to this, stuffed dates are easy to make and also look fancy. Follow these steps to make hazelnut dates:
- Roughly chop roasted hazelnuts and bind it with some honey
- You may add other dry fruits like cashews and pistachios too for added flavours
- Remove the pits or seeds from dates and stuff them with the prepared filling
- Your stuffed dates are ready to serve
2. Hazelnut Laddoos
You must have had many types of ladoos but we bet, these hazelnut laddoos would stand out in your dessert section. There are many variants you can make by simply experimenting with the ingredients.
- Mix some khoya, condensed milk and desiccated coconut together.
- Now chop some roasted hazelnuts and mix them with the prepared filling.
- Now shape the filling in the form of a laddoo and garnish with some hazelnut powder.
3. Hazelnut Katli
Agree or not, Indian festivals feel incomplete with Kaju katli, right? However, kaju katli is high in fats that make them difficult on your stomach. If you are a fan of kaju katli but want to stick to guilt-free mithai for healthier diwali, try this hazelnut katli.
- Take khoya and add some condensed milk to form a smooth mixture.
- Grease a tray with ghee and evenly spread the mixture on it.
- Take roasted hazelnuts and crush them.
- Garnish the katli with hazelnuts and refrigerate the tray for a couple of hours.
While these mithais are super easy to make at home, you can also get these diwali treats at Haldirams. Turkish hazelnuts can be a great addition to your festive delights. These have a distinct taste with a myriad of health benefits.
Also Read: Diwali Diet Plan To Lose Weight