What to Eat During Ramadan – Breaking the Fast at Iftar with Great Gusto
Ramadan is celebrated on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and in 2014 it’s estimated to commence on Saturday, June 14.
A Brief Overview of Ramadan
Ramadan lasts for 28-29 days depending on the sight of the moon and it’s one of the Five Pillars of Islam meaning that it’s every Muslim’s duty – with the exception of the elderly and the ill – to fast from sunrise (Sahour) to sunset (Iftar) for the entirety of the month.
Sahour and Iftar are also the names given to the meals eaten at sunrise and sunset respectively and the fast is usually broken in the company of family or members of the local community.
It’s expected that Muslims will engage in acts of charity during Ramadan when the rewards for good deeds are multiplied.
Traditional Ramadan Foods
If you’ve ever experienced Ramadan in the Middle East – not necessarily participated – you’ll know how well Muslims eat during the holy month despite fasting from sunrise to sunset.
Breaking the fast is, unsurprisingly, a big deal and Ramadan menus are among the most exquisite you’ll ever come across.
Naturally there are far too many tasty traditional foods served during Ramadan to discuss in any great detail, though here are a few notable foods and drinks served throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
- Erk Soos
A drink served in Egypt and the Levant, Erk Soos is made from liquorice extracts, sugar and water and served cold.
- Harees
A dish combining cracked wheat and meat (usually chicken), Harees is popular in the Gulf States.
- Biryani, Kabsas and Mansaf
These are three rice dishes (rice plays a major role in diets in many parts of the Islamic world) popular in Asiatic Islamic countries.
- Masgouf
An Iraqi baked fish dish that’s popular throughout the Middle East.
- Fattoush and Tabbouleh
These salads are traditionally served with meat, rice and/or breads.
Many of these dishes can be found in the West, so Islamic families residing in Western countries are usually able to access traditional Islamic dishes with which to break their fast at Iftar (sunset).
Breaking the Fast Healthily and Without Sacrificing Enjoyment
After fasting from sunrise it’s hardly surprising that Muslims take to Iftar with great gusto and break the fast in style.
Many Islamic families plan the dishes they’ll break the fast with days in advance, though it’s increasingly common in recent years for Islamic families to order takeaway – most commonly in the larger metropolises throughout the Middle East and North Africa like Abu Dhabi, Cairo and Dubai – because many families are leading faster paced lifestyles that no longer afford them the time to prepare dishes at home every evening.
Fast food doesn’t have to equate to grease laden, waist expanding food any more – something you’ll immediately realise upon ordering pizza delivery in Abu Dhabi or Dubai – because most fast food chains and restaurants are paying greater attention to nutrition and there are now many healthy, nutritious side dishes to order.
Although it’s naturally difficult not to start on the mains immediately – after fasting from sunrise it’s hardly surprising that the most appealing dishes are the heaviest – it’s wise to start off slowly with lighter foods like salads, soups, or even better fruit, before moving onto the main courses as this slowly expands your stomach and rehydrates your body, mitigating the chances of a rather untimely bellyache!
Whilst you’ll find that many ‘modernised families’ order more takeaway to break the fast at Iftar than before, that isn’t to say that they’re foregoing the exquisite dishes that have come to define Middle Eastern and North African cuisine.
When families have time to prepare the feasts that characterise the meal at sunset they do so in style and as it’s common for families to get together to break the fast, they usually coordinate their cooking efforts and put on quite a spread.
Whether you’re celebrating Ramadan in the Middle East, North Africa or in the West this year you’ve got plenty to look forward to when it’s time to break the fast at Iftar; however, to avoid incurring what would prove a rather untimely bellyache, start off with something light before moving onto the main courses.
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