I’ve ‘enjoyed’ the fruits of Ramadan for most of my life, from ‘Sallah‘ meat – the copious amounts of grilled and barbecued ram and beef that accompany the feast at the end of the thirty days and the national holidays, Eid al-Fitr.
It’s only in the last couple of years though that I’ve understood what happens to those taking the month-long journey – what they eat and when they break their fast.
Two things stick with me, Suhoor – the early morning, pre-dawn meal before the fast begins and Iftar, the evening meal, signalling the end of the ‘fast’ for the day.
Since the suhoor is intended to last one throughout the day, it tends to be a heavy and hearty meal. Suhoor ends when the sun rises and the fajr, or morning prayer, begins.
At the end of the day, when the sun sets, the maghrib prayer starts, and the day’s fast is broken with the iftar meal. Many Muslims break their fast by eating dates before beginning the iftar meal. Muslims can continue eating and drinking throughout the night until the next day’s suhoor.
At the end of the Ramadan month, Muslims celebrate the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, called Eid al-Fitr; The Kitchn
What’s also struck me, and only in the last couple of years is how considerate we, I have to be of people embarking on fasts. My friend, Ij shared with me what she learnt from her ‘summer’ holiday to Dubai two years ago.She didn’t realise shopping for groceries and eating out in the day would be so trying.
If you are currently traveling in a Muslim country or live in a Muslim neighborhood, please recognize that right now is a holy time for Muslims and they are fasting during daylight hours. If you need to purchase food or drink during fasting hours, please be respectful and carry them in a non-transparent bag back to your home or hotel room where you can consume them in privacy.
Anyways, there’s my introduction.
A bit of what you can expect – I’ll be sharing a menu, designed by the amazing Hauwa of Casa Kuluwaz; some suggestions for Suhoor, Iftar and lots of creative recipes with Nigerian ingredients from drinks to salads, meals and more.
Very excited.[wpurp-searchable-recipe]Coming Soon: Your Guide to Eating During Ramadan – – – [/wpurp-searchable-recipe]
