Ramadan in UAE: When delicacies are a reminder of home

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People buy food for Iftar near a mosque in Karachi, Pakistan.  — AP
People buy food for Iftar near a mosque in Karachi, Pakistan. - AP

Reminiscing about home in Karachi, Aliya says that during Iftar one neighbour or the other who would send a tray filled with food.

by

Asma Ali Zain

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Published: Thu 9 May 2019, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Fri 10 May 2019, 1:13 AM

To the Khans, ringing of the doorbell during Iftar time almost every day with someone delivering a tray laden with Pakistani delicacies is what is missed most in Ramadan in Pakistan.
The family that moved to the UAE in 2000, however, feels that the spirit of Ramadan has much more presence in the UAE.
"In Pakistan, most of this holy month is spent indoors but in the UAE you can see it everywhere in the form of Ramadan tents and other initiatives," says Khadija Aliya, a housewife.
"Also, the best thing in the UAE is that women can easily offer Taraweeh prayers in the mosque which doesn't happen in Pakistan," she said.
The Khans, however, miss the family gatherings back home in Karachi. "Having Iftar with the extended family and neighbours is something we cannot do here and we miss it badly," she says.
"At the start of this month, I made cupcakes and distributed to all my neighbours, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, so that they can know this is a month of giving too," she adds.
Reminiscing about home in Karachi, Aliya says that during Iftar one neighbour or the other who would send a tray filled with food.
"We would always be in a hurry to remove the cover and see what had been sent," says Aliya, adding that part of Ramadan at home was missed.
Desi street food such as pakoras, samosas, fruits and chana chaats are among a range of items that are missed most. "I make these at home for the children but then the advantage of staying in the UAE is that we get to eat a variety of other foodstuffs too," she says.
To make up for her memories, Aliya makes is a point to put up Ramadan decorations around the house and send some home-made goodies to her neighbours at the start of the holy month and on Eid.
"Sometimes, we tend to ignore people around us especially those whose families are not in the country with them," she says.
"The watchman of my building loves the samosas I make at home and awaits them each Ramadan so I make some especially for him," she says.
The family has been following a tradition each Ramadan. Iftar is prepared and the table is laid out well in time. The family then sits together to watch Sharjah TV and take part in the special prayer that is held each day of this month before the cannon signals it is Iftar time goes off.
"We all sit quietly and participate in the prayer as a family routine just a few minutes before Iftar time," says Aliya. "Fast is broken with an array of traditional Pakistani dishes as a reminder of home."
Recipe of the day
Kala channa chat
Ingredients
>Black chickpeas 500g
>Onion  1 medium
>Garlic cloves chopped 7-8
>Yogurt  1/2 cup
>Salt 1 tsp
>Soda bicarbonate   1 tsp
>Whole dry red chilies   7-8
>Cumin seeds (zeera)   1 tbsp
>Coriander seeds   1 tbsp
>Tamarind pulp 3-4 tbsp
>1 onion, 1 tomato and coriander
 Procedure
>Soak black chickpeas for 7-8 hours.
>Grind whole red chilies, cumin, coriander seeds.
>Take a pan, add 3-4 tbsp oil with 1 chopped onion, cook until slightly golden
>Now add chopped garlic, stir for few seconds, then add grinded masala.
>Throw all extra water of chickpeas, add in, stir for 2 minutes, then add yogurt.
>Add 4-5 cups of hot boiling water with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp soda bicarbonate..let it boil then cook on slow heat
>Keep some gravy at end.add tamarind pulp and lemon juice.
>Chop onion, tomato, coriander and garnish chickpeas with these.
 (Photo source: http://www.saffronstrikes.com)
asmaalzain@khaleejtimes.com


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