Delicious Eid treats

EID-AL-FITR marks the end of the Holy month of Ramadaan and food plays a central role in the celebrations. Eid is a time for family and friends to get together after a month of spiritual reflection, charitable work and renewing of the spirit. When I was a child, it was always a joyous time when I would spend time with my Muslim cousins and aunt who ensured we had all treats before and after lunch and dinner.

Very little has changed, and the traditions of Eid-Al-Fitr remain the same. Muslims offer alms in the form of sadaqah al fitr or Zakat-al-Fitr (charity of breaking fast) and it often includes a charitable donation in the form of food to those in need.

Food is and always will remain a hallmark of the manner in which Muslims celebrate the festival of breaking the fast.

Curries and stews are also part and parcel of meals, especially when Eid takes place in winter. But the sweet treats are never an “afterthought “and are usually the highlight of every meal – butter cookies, spice cakes and date-filled pastries, to name a few.