Traditional Eid Dishes from Around the World

KOMPAS.com - Eid al-Fitr, or also known as Idul Fitri in Malay-speaking countries, is the festival that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and welcomes the arrival of Syawal month for Muslims. On the first day of Syawal, they will perform Eid prayers in the morning followed by feasting with family and friends. 

Traditional meals and sweets to celebrate the festival will be served during their get-together events. In Indonesia, Eid meals usually include festive favorites such as semur (meat stew), chicken opor (chicken cooked in coconut milk), and ketupat (rice cakes).

Despite an overarching theme, food served on Eid is influenced by local customs and culture. Different countries have different Eid traditions for food. Below are 12 Eid food traditions from various countries in the world:

1. Maamoul - Middle East

This special recipe is usually prepared by the Middle Easterners in Syria and Lebanon on a special day. Maamoul is buttery cookies filled with dates, walnuts, or pistachios and are usually coated with powdered sugar.

Cookies similar to maamoul can also be found in Iraq, Sudan, and Egypt. The cake is called kleicha.

2. Cambaabur - Somalia

Cambaabur is Somalian bread that is similar to injera, an African bread but has different spices. In Somalia, Eid celebrations are considered incomplete without cambaabur. These delicious bread sprinkled with sugar and yogurt are served in almost every house in Somalia.

Apart from Somalia, the cambaabur recipe is also very popular in Djibouti, Africa.

3. Sheer khurma - South Asia

Sheer khurma means milk with date, the dried fruits. This sweet dessert is a favorite in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.

It is cooked with milk, sugar, toasted noodles, and dates. This dish can be added with pistachios, almonds, or raisins, depending on the country. Served both hot and cold, it is a must-have item on Eid day in every household.

4. Tajine - Morocco

Eid is not only filled with sumptuous and sweet desserts. Dishes made of meat are also prepared in several countries during Eid, one of which is tajine.

Tajine is a slow-cooked stew made of several types of meat such as lamb or beef with vegetables or fruits, such as prunes and apricots. Tajine is often served in North African countries, such as Morocco and Algeria.

5. Doro Wat - Ethiopia

Doro wat is a delicious Ethiopian soup or curry cooked with chicken, and usually eaten with injera bread. Doro wat is usually served as a communal dish to let everyone enjoy a meal together.

6. Lokum - Turkey

Lokum is loosely translated into “Turkish delight”, which is a favorite food during Eid and holidays in Turkey. This gel-shaped dessert is made from a combination of starch, sugar, and other fillings such as dates, pistachios, and walnuts.

Lokum has a great taste and is one of the most beautiful Eid foods as it is made in various colors and textures.

7. Tufahija - Bosnia

Tufahija is a dessert Bosnians enjoy to celebrate the end of the fasting month. This dish is made of boiled apples covered with sugar and filled with walnuts.

Tufahija is often served in large glasses filled with syrup and topped with whipped cream.

8. Manti - Russia

On Eid al-Fitr, Muslims in Russia and Central Asia countries share manti or stuffed meat dumplings with each other. This dish originated in China and is usually filled with seasoned lamb or beef and served in different sizes and shapes depending on the region.

9. Bolani - Afghanistan

This dish is thin Afghan bread filled with vegetables such as potatoes, lentils, or pumpkin and can be served with yogurt. Bolani is usually served as an appetizer, but can also be eaten as a main dish.

Bolani is one of the dishes that can be enjoyed during Ramadan and is still eaten during Eid and on other special occasions.

10. Lapis legit - Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore

Lapis legit is a thousand-layered spice cake from Indonesia that was developed during the Dutch colonial period. This traditional cake is well-known in Singapore and Malaysia as well.

Lapis legit is made of flour, butter, and eggs, and spices such as cardamom and cloves. There are different layers in this cake and each layer is made of broiled batter.

It is a time-consuming but flavorful dish to make and families start prepping for it at the end of the Holy Month. This cake is often seen as a delicacy to eat on special occasions, including Eid.

11. Beef rendang - Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore

This spicy main dish is a classic dish from the Malay countries. Rendang originated from Minangkabau in Indonesia which is made from beef, coconut milk, and long-cooked spices. This traditional dish is also well-known in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines.

12. Spice cookies - the United States

In the States, most Muslims celebrate Eid by going out to eat at restaurants with friends and family. However, there is a new trend created by American Muslims, it is to make spice cookies, such as Christmas ginger cookies, using crescent-shaped cookie cutters and mosque cakes.

(Writer: Krisda Tiofani | Editor: Silvita Agmasari)

Source: https://www.kompas.com/food/read/2021/05/13/101000375/12-makanan-lebaran-dari-berbagai-negara-di-dunia-tidak-hanya-ketupat

 

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