Qatayef: The sweet of Ramadan

Kuwait Times celebrates Ramadan in Kuwait with 30 days of the Icons of Ramadan. We highlight our favorite activities, events, symbols and foods that are popular during this holy month, along with Kuwait’s Ramadan culture, history and traditions.

Qatayef are thin and lacy stuffed pancakes mostly served only in Ramadan in most countries. There are two types of qatayef - regular and mini. After the main meal is over, it is traditional to follow up with qatayef, which is a favorite Ramadan dessert for Arabs. And it’s best to get your fill of these delicious treats as they are only made and available during the month of Ramadan.

The regular ones are usually stuffed with a cheese or nut filling. They are then sealed and baked or fried and served with syrup. The mini qatayef can be served without cooking. They are usually filled with cream and dipped in pistachios.

Qatayef are made with a yeastrisen batter including flour, water and milk, are cooked on one side before being folded around a cheese or a nut mixture, then typically deep-fried or baked and soaked in sugar syrup. The bakeries in the country cook them all day long to meet the demands of the people. They cook thousands of the pancakes and one can buy them by the half-kilogram or one kilogram.

Email us at local@kuwaittimes.com with your favorite symbols of Ramadan and Ramadan photos.