Ramzan: A fasting food-festival!

Whether you call it Ramzan or Ramadan, the holy festival of Muslims
symbolises many things. It is a time to pray and improve moral
character, practice self restraint, and focus on positivity. To achieve
all this, perhaps the most significant tradition associated with this
festival is fasting, which is followed by a sumptuous feast. Around 1.6
billion Muslims around the world fast from dawn to dusk during this
month. At sunset, they break their fast with a sip of water.

The fast is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind
them of the suffering of those less fortunate. Muslims often donate to
charities during the month and feed the hungry. Fasting is an exercise
in self-restraint. It's seen as a way to physically and spiritually
detoxify by kicking impulses like morning coffee, smoking and midday
snacking.

To prepare for the fast, Muslims can eat a pre-dawn meal called "suhoor"
(usually packed with power foods like fava beans, dates, potatoes or
yogurt) to get them through the day.

Muslims traditionally break their fast like the Prophet Muhammad did
some 1,400 years ago, with a sip of water and some dates at sunset. That
first sip of water is by far the most anticipated moment of the day.
After a sunset prayer, a large feast known as "Iftar" is shared with
family and friends. Iftar is a social event as much as it is a
gastronomical adventure. Across the Arab world, juices made from
apricots are a staple at Ramadan Iftars. In South Asia and Turkey,
yogurt-based drinks are popular.

Across the Muslim world, mosques and aid organizations set up tents and
tables for the public to eat free Iftar meals every night of Ramadan.

During this month, many food bazaars also pop up in every big city and
small town. After an entire day of fasting, everyone indulges in a
variety of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies. The hustle and
bustle in each of these markets is something that can only be
experienced in person.

So, regardless of your religion and dietary preferences, enjoy the pious
feast of Iftar at your neighbour's place or the local market. Or better
still, whip up some delicacies at your house using recipes shared by
many home chefs who make up Cookpad's
community. You can also
submit your
recipes
to stand a chance to win many prizes. And more importantly, wish all
your Muslim brothers and sisters a very happy Ramzan.

From all of us at Cookpad, a heartfelt Ramadan Mubarak to you!