Delicious dishes to try during Ramadan

Whether you’ll be fasting during Ramadan or you just want to learn more about its traditions, discover what to include in a traditional Ramadan meal and try recipes from around the world.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, and is traditionally a time for reflection, prayer, and charity. The holy month’s two main meals are iftar, the meal eaten to break fast at sundown, and suhoor, the meal eaten before sunrise. Muslims fast from sunrise to sundown for a whole month until the start of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan and is a three-day celebration filled with feasts.

Many Muslims traditionally eat dates before they begin their iftar meal. With a high content of natural sugars, plus vitamins like magnesium and potassium, dates are a great energy source and help the body replenish its nutrients after a day of fasting. For a tasty twist, try making stuffed dates with walnuts, goat cheese, and a drizzle of honey.

Soup makes a great iftar starter. It helps hydrate the body and prepares the digestive system for the rest of the meal. Traditional soups prepared during Ramadan range across regions, but some favorites include harira, a hearty Moroccan lentil and chickpea stew, and soto ayam, a fragrant Indonesian chicken soup flavored with lemongrass and turmeric.

Fresh fruits and veggies are a must for a sundown spread because they are packed with fiber and nutrients. You’ll love fattoush, a Lebanese salad that includes pita chips, cucumber, tomatoes, sumac, and a zesty vinaigrette. You can also try a Pakistani fruit chaat, which adds a sprinkle of spice to a seasonal fruit salad.

To curb hunger during a day of fasting, incorporate protein into suhoor main courses. For a tasty pre-dawn breakfast, try shakshuka, a North African dish of poached eggs in spiced tomato sauce. Ful medames (stewed Egyptian fava beans) make for a nutritious vegan option, as does any dish with lentils, chickpeas, or other protein-filled legumes.

Eid al-Fitr has been called “Sweet Eid” for its abundance of delicious desserts, but a sweet treat is also the perfect conclusion to a Ramadan meal. Traditional sweets include basbousa, an Egyptian syrup-soaked semolina cake, and Turkish delight, a melt-in-your-mouth candy flavored with rosewater.