Ramadan in Algeria

Ramadan is probably the only month of the year when Algerian
families get together around a diner table, and have a multiple dish
menus during 30 long days, what a blessing!


Algeria in Ramadan? Sleepy and slow in the day, busy and animated
in the evening. People get all exited and lively in the evenings, tea
and coffee shops are almost invaded, women and children strolling
around eating ice-cream and all kind of Ramadan sweeties, kalb elouz,
ktaiff, baklawa, etc. Obviously, in these last ten days, families are
now starting their Eid shopping, new outfits for the kids, new homeware
for the living room and of course all sorts of ingredients to prepare
Eid cakes.


I love going to the fruit and vegetable markets in Ramadan, the
smell of fresh coriander, mint and basilica is marvellous, vegetables
look beautiful and the fruits tasty. But definitely the stall of dried
fruits and nuts is the most attractive spot of all the market to me. I
wish I could have it all at home! I say this because one of my
favourite dishes in Ramadan is Lham Lahlou or sweet meat. What can I
have best after a hot spicy chorba frik, crunchy rolls of bourek and a
tasty dish of lamb and green peas than a little plate of sweet meat
with a lovely sweet and sour sauce served with nicely cut pears,
apples, prunes, raisins and almonds to sweep away all those hot spices.


Curiously, every year when the religious authority gathers to
observe Ramadan moon, every single Algerian wishes that it starts a day
later, and when they gather to observe the new moon of the following
moth, again every single Algerian wishes that Ramadan stays one more
day. It’s like a dear guest, we apprehend his visit by we get used to
him very quickly and wish he never goes again. Ramadan revives and
strengthens family and social ties and brings hope for the needy and
the deprived. May Allah accept our fasting, worship and increase our
good deeds! And may He grant us health, success and happiness.


Saha Ramdankoum & Saha Aidkoum