Sweets for Eid al-Fitr

Muslims around the world are celebrating the end of Ramadan with Eid al-Fitr celebrations. Food is at the forefront to celebrate the end of Ramadan fasting. The foods eaten vary depending on the culture of the local celebrants, but sweets are an important aspect no matter where Eid feasts happen. BBC’s Good Food provides us with a list of eleven Eid sweets recipes that are wonderful for the holiday but delicious any time.

Baklava is popular in the Middle East while carrot halwa is enjoyed in northern India. Another Middle Eastern favorite is maamoul, a semolina cookie dough filled with nuts or dates and lightly dusted with icing sugar. Other traditional desserts include sheer khurma, gulab jamun, cham cham, and barfi. Different types of puddings also grace the table at Eid celebrations around the world.

Of course one cannot live by dessert alone (sadly). The traditional mains and sides are equally as appealing as the desserts, as you can see from Food52’s list of fifty recipes for Eid gatherings and Saveur’s fifteen recipes to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. I am especially enamored with Khan plov (chicken pilaf in a lavash crust).