Ways to Enjoy Dates when Breaking Ramadan Fast
Ramadan is here and Medjool dates play a significant role in this monthlong observance. The ninth month in the Islamic calendar and serves as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and spending time with community and loved ones. Considered a very sacred month, it is also a time of charity and doing good deeds for others. Sphinx Date Co. shares some history about this holiday and ideas for incorporating dates when breaking a fast.
Ramadan is a religious holiday for Muslims and is used as a time for those practicing to self-reflect and strengthen their relationship with God, according to an article on USA Today’s website. The holiday starts and ends with the shape of the crescent moon, so the exact days it is celebrated each year fluctuates. This year, in the U.S., Ramadan begins with the setting of the sun on Wednesday, March 22 and ends with Eid al-Fitr on Friday, April 21.
Eid al-Fitr (the breaking of the fast) marks the end of Ramadan and is one of the major Muslim holidays. Families and loved ones get together to celebrate this occasion with traditional dress and foods. Dates are often included in the feast associated with this holiday. Maamoul is a date-filled shortbread cookie that is often eaten during Eid al-Fitr. It is made with dates and either pistachios or walnuts. Walnuts appear in another traditional dessert of this celebration — Tufahija, which is dessert made with walnut-stuffed apples poached in sugar water. During Eid al-Fitr, dates are also traditionally enjoyed with honey, figs, bread, fruit and olives. A platter of these foods can make for a beautiful and delicious centerpiece at the Eid al-Fitr table.
Before Eid al-Fitr, dates are used throughout Ramadan because of not only their historical significance in the holiday, but also because they are nutrient-dense and can help ease symptoms of a fast like headaches and low blood sugar. They can also help aid in digestion when enjoying a large feast after a long fasting period. Dates are naturally high in sugar, potassium, magnesium, fiber and carbohydrates so they are an ideal food to break a fast.
When breaking a fast, dates can be enjoyed with apple or pear slices and a sliver of brie, baked into desserts or pastries or stuffed with nuts like pistachios, walnuts or pecans and or ricotta cheese and drizzled with honey. They can also be blended into a butter or jam to spread on fruit or bread or added to fruit smoothies for texture.
Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry is stocked up with fresh dates and artisan provisions for Ramadan. Stop in today or order online anytime!