Discover 8 traditional Ramadan dishes

Throughout the sacred month of Ramadan, no food or drink is permitted between dawn and sunset. However, fasting is broken each evening with a meal referred to as Iftar. This moment of sharing brings families and communities together around the table. Here are eight traditional dishes and desserts served during this occasion.

1. Shakshouka

Following a day of fasting, eating protein-rich food is recommended for that satiating effect. In addition to being nutrient rich, eggs are a good source of protein. They can be enjoyed in various ways. In a traditional shakshouka, they’re served poached in a bell pepper and tomato sauce.

2. Legume soup

Algerian chorba and Moroccan harira are two soups that are usually served during Ramadan. Both share common ingredients: meat, plenty of vegetables, and legumes. These two vegetarian recipes with chickpeas and lentils also contain a generous amount of vegetables, and are the perfect hearty soups to eat during the sacred ritual.

3. Couscous

Couscous is a North African specialty prepared with a stew of vegetables, chickpeas, meat or fish served with broth over rehydrated durum wheat semolina. This nourishing dish can be made many ways, with meat or without, and is enjoyed during Ramadan. Here are two versions:

4. Tajine

This refers to both the traditional cone-shaped cooking vessel as well as the meat stew that’s cooked in it. This dish, originating from Maghreb, is traditionally prepared with meat, including chicken or fish, and recipes easily adapt to seasonal ingredients. Try it with lamb, such as in this recipe where the meat is infused with a mixture of spices before being cooked with carrots and parsnips, with olives added at the very end.

5. Stew

In this Moroccan-inspired recipe, fish is enjoyed in a stew. Vegetables are sautéed with spices like cumin, coriander and cinnamon, and tomatoes and capers are then added. Cod fillets come next, and the stew continues cooking until the fish is ready. It is a simple dish that is eagerly welcomed after a day of fasting.

6. Mezze

Mezze-style meals, which consist of a variety of small dishes served at the same time, fit perfectly with the spirit of sharing. This mezze-inspired recipe is a version that features tofu. The plant protein is browned with the onion, and then enhanced with curry and onion confit. Serve it with cauliflower, hummus, cucumbers, avocado and tabbouleh. It’s a satisfying and easy-to-make vegetarian dish.

7. Fruity desserts

It is wise to consume sugar-rich foods in moderation during Ramadan, as they provide energy quickly but won’t sustain you for a lengthy period of time. Therefore, fruits are much more recommended, served here in a fresh fruit salad with mint. Figs and dates are also abundantly consumed during this month of fasting. The latter, nourishing and sweet, are the basis for many desserts.

8. Baklava

At the end of the month of Ramadan, families gather around the table to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. This feast brings together several traditional Middle Eastern pastries which combine honey, nuts (pistachios, almonds, walnuts) and the fragrances of rose water and orange blossom. The feast also includes baklava, which comes in many versions. Take the opportunity to bake this version with almonds, walnuts, honey and cinnamon.