Ramadan

Just a friendly reminder that Ramadan starts tomorrow, so your favorites Devon Ave, Kedzie and Orleans spots may be on adjusted schedules.

Sundown this year is around 6:15 - I'm assuming many of those places will be bustling after sundown. Certainly, some of them will not change hours at all, but its probably a good idea to call.

Few other notes regarding Ramadan:

Because it is a cross-cultural tradition to open the fast with dates, now is the time when very high quality dates will be readily available at decent prices at grocers on Devon and Kedzie. There are a few other traditions that manifest themselves in various grocers and on menus this month - I'd love to hear if anyone gets up there and sees anything interesting.

My family used to go through a couple pounds of freshly fried Potato, Cauliflower, Broccoli and Onion Pakoras (drool) and fruit salad spiced with pepper and sometimes hot sauce. Despite the fast, culinary treats are abound.

ab

Hi,

I hope you will keep us informed of these treats for Ramadan as they are located because I know very little about what to look for.

&&&

In the same vein, but a different religion, we are fast approaching:

Diwali (Divali, Deepavali, Deepawali)
(12 November 2004)

Diwali is the Hindu "Festival of Lights" and is one of India's most important and popular festivals. It falls at the new moon towards the end of October or early November and lasts for two days. In India Diwali is celebrated in many different ways.

I am always aware of this holiday after everything is said and done. If someone can alert us to public events or culinary treats related to this festival, I would be very appreciative.

Maybe this is a privately observed festival, because I really have tried to find related events in the past without success.

Any information is appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi,

I just learned Ramadan is August 1 until 30 this year.

No drinking or eating from sunrise to sundown, this has to be tough during the peak of summer's heat.

Regards,

As a related note, I saw potato samosas with coriander sauce in the carry out section at Whole Foods where they have the pre packaged sushi, pizzas, salads,
and dips. I bought a package of two. Not as good as freshly made, but easy enough for a treat at Ramadan or anytime.

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I just learned Ramadan is August 1 until 30 this year.

No drinking or eating from sunrise to sundown, this has to be tough during the peak of summer's heat.

Regards,

We were living in Saudi Arabia in 1985, when Ramadan fell in June/July. At least in KSA the entire country's schedule seemed to shift during Ramadan--work started/ended earlier, shops were often closed for long periods during midday then stayed open late, etc. Still, I think if I were Muslim, I'd be temporarily relocating to the south of Australia right now.

HI,

There was a Ramadan breaking fast iftar meal at Khan BBQ with Yvonne Maffei, who has a blog MyHalalKitchen.com, commenting. The Chicago Reader's Michael Gebert wrote Lining up for iftar at Khan BBQ offering background and highlights.

Regards,

Ramadan in Sweden with no dusk, no dawn
During summer, the sun never sets in Sweden's northernmost town, posing challenges for Muslims observing the holy month.

"There was no really established Islamic organisation at the time, or information on the Internet. I had to make up my own rules."

Sorry I missed iftar w/lth'rs but was there Fri pm to witness Khan desended upon by around 75 pp in about 15 mins for the buffet. Lucky we got our order in prior, which was wonderful as always. Dal fry, channa, aloo gobi, bhindi masasla, seekh kebab, chix boti and veg pilaf for 4 pp. Been eating leftovers ever since.

Jazzfood wrote:Sorry I missed iftar w/lth'rs but was there Fri pm to witness Khan desended upon by around 75 pp in about 15 mins for the buffet. Lucky we got our order in prior, which was wonderful as always. Dal fry, channa, aloo gobi, bhindi masasla, seekh kebab, chix boti and veg pilaf for 4 pp. Been eating leftovers ever since.

Did the crowd stand around watching you eat while waiting for sunset? That was one of the most uncomfortable moves I've executed in my life - A Hebrew eating at Khan just before iftar, which I did last year. Brutal.

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

I just learned Ramadan is August 1 until 30 this year.

No drinking or eating from sunrise to sundown, this has to be tough during the peak of summer's heat.

Regards,

Think about the football players At Dearborn, MI's Fordson High.

http://www.arabamerica.com/news.php?id=2502

Note that there is a documentary on the trials of football practice during Ramadan.

You break the fast after dark, then go practice afterwards.

Shahi Nihari in Morton Grove serves an Iftar buffet, changing every day of the week.
We haven't tried it, but the Thursday menu sounded good, including nihari, a couple chicken dishes, a few vegetarian, and of course dates. At just before 8, there was a lot of staff milling around, no customers.

Shahi Nihari
7947 Golf Road
Morton Grove, IL
847.965.2422
http://shahinihari.com/

Hi,

Ramadan began last night, the first iftar is this evening.

I hosted a program an iftar at Khan BBQ last year, here is a podcast featuring Yvonne Maffei of MyHalalKitchen.com, 'Breaking the Fast at a Ramadan Iftar at Khan BBQ.'

Khan BBQ for some years offered a free iftar. They now have a reasonably priced iftar buffet.

Regards,

We have experienced Ramadan in Tunisia, Mali, Oman, Algeria, Azerbijan, Dubai, and perhaps another place or two, Across the globe iftar was so interesting. But as tourists, we were able to eat at hotels that served foreign guests -with the drapes closed. We usually go with the flow, but we did eat during the banned hours. We felt bad for the cook and the waitstaff.