This week You! takes a look at some special food that we look forward to having in Ramazan…
ramazan
A part from the spiritual and religious activities, enjoying different foods is something that many of us look forward to in Ramazan. While some regions have a particular delicacy that they enjoy, there are a few favourite Ramazan foods that are staples across Pakistan. This week You! takes a look at some special food that we look forward to having in Ramazan…
Dates: A must-have at iftar spreads, having dates in Ramazan just feels different – maybe it’s the association that we have in our mind. Apart from being an instant energy food, one feels gravitated towards it during this month even if they don’t on any other day. Some people enjoy dates during sehri as well, which is a great idea to get through the day.
Pheni: While these are available at many sweet shops and bakeries across the country, during Ramazan, there will be separate kiosks set up at these shops to stock them. A kind of fried vermicelli, pheni served in hot milk and often consumed during sehri. It may seem like it’s a light snack but it’s a fulfilling bowl of yumminess!
Fruit chaat: Hydrating, sweet and satisfying, fresh fruit is a must at any Ramazan table. Fresh fruit may be enjoyed during iftar or sehri. Some people like to add cream and some enjoy it with freshly squeezed orange juice or instant juice, but they both taste absolutely delicious.
Samosas & rolls: While these delectable fried items are readily available, even before iftar time, many households prefer them to be homemade. There will be preps done a couple of days before Ramazan. The samosa and roll sheets are filled with different kinds of stuffing that includes but not limited to potatoes, vegetables and mince.
Pakoras: Drenched in savoury gram flour batter, pakoras are a staple when it comes to iftar. Usually these are made with a mix of vegetables like onions, chillies, coriander and potatoes. Some pakoras just a single ingredient dipped in the batter and fried. The most popular of these are spinach, eggplant, potatoes. Moreover, some households also prepare pakoras with cheese and sometimes chicken or meat chunks. Either way, no iftar platter is complete without these yummy fritters!
Peri bites: Cheesy and spicy, these are the most scrumptious snack to have during iftar, especially if it’s a special occasion. Jalapeños stuffed with a mixture of seasoned chicken, cheese and then coated in crispy bread crumbs, one finds it hard to stop just after having one. These can be prepped beforehand and then fried just before iftar. If you haven’t had these yet, you must try them at least once during Ramazan.
Channa chaat: A mix of chickpeas, freshly cut onions, chillies, tomatoes, coriander and seasoning, this is a healthy and super scrumptious food to have. Chaat is a perfect dish for an evening tea party, so it only makes sense to have it on our iftar spreads as well. However, if you are in a mood for something different, you can try serving ‘Chaat baskets’. The only difference is that the chaat will be served in bowls made out of papri. These papris are just the regular ones, it’s just that they are shaped to look like a bowl during the frying process with a help of a round spoon.
Dahi baray: A delicious mixture of yogurt and fritters – made with lentils or simple pakoras – it is a light and refreshing snack, especially during summer. A popular way to eat this dish is to pour some of it on channa chaat or chola chaat, and it instantly becomes the local street food many are fond of. You can enjoy it as is or sprinkle some of the crispy papri for that delicious crunchy texture.
Paye & nihari: If it were not the pandemic, many streets would be crowded with people having paye or nihari for sehri. For many, it is customary to have the traditional food at least once or twice in the holy month.
Anda paratha: Crispy, flaky and always fulfilling, parathas are the hot favourite breakfast dish that is relished many households. While you can often find irresistible anda parathas at roadside stalls across the country but the aromatic indulgence of a homemade anda paratha is just heavenly. It is simple, quick and packed with flavourful spices and goodness of egg. A perfect sehri recipe to keep you full for long.
Laal sharbat: Last but not least, this is probably the one time that Pakistan talks about any other beverage than chai. The rosy and sweet drink is a must at most iftar tables, whether made in water or milk. It’s refreshing and a beloved drink, especially after a long day of fasting.
