If you want to try an Iftar Pakistani style, check out the basics.
1). Kajoor (Dates)
Dates are a classic across many cultures.
They're so great that people even make jokes about all the "dates" they're having over the summer.
2. Samosas
I love them no matter what size they come in.
I accept them no matter what's on the inside.
When people ask me what samosas are, I tell them that they're like triangular empanadas or egg rolls.
3. Pakoras
Pakoras are edible amoebas of soft, yet crispy and flavorful goodness.
4. Potato Pakoras
French fries will never again suffice.
Tater tots can never hit the spot.
You will never want anything else after you've had potato pakoras.
Don't have them without chaat masala sprinkled on top.
5. Rooh Afza
This drink's name is a fancy Urdu way of saying that it nourishes the soul.
It's not strawberry milk or fruit punch.
It's a medley of fruity, sugary roses that you're drinking down in cold doses after a hot, hungry day.
The syrup can be mixed with milk or water. Some people even add basil seeds to milk-based Rooh Afza. (No, I still don't know why. It scares the kids.)
6. Chutney Party
Mix plain yogurt and lemon juice in a bowl and add desired spices and herbs.
The list can include black pepper, black salt, and chaat masala or you can use the yogurt to dilute and mix the green, red, and tamarind sauces. (I put in everything.)
Pour it over the pakoras and dip the corners of the samosas.
7. Fruit Chaat (The Anti-Hero)
Hear me out on this one.
Fruit chaat is so tasty. It's a finely chopped fruit salad with chaat masala and black salt mixed in. We seldom appreciate fruit chaat, but that's only because we fill ourselves with samosas before we can get to it. (I'm sorry, mom.)
The bonus is that this dish can have cut dates, mangoes and pomegranate seeds in it. You'll never have a more flavorful fruit salad. It's also the healthiest thing that you'll put on your plate during a feast like this.
The foods on this list are not year-round dishes, although they are associated with particular cultures. You might think that you know Middle Eastern, Indian, Mexican, Asian, or Mediterranean food, but you'll uncover some of the best dishes of these regions if you check in during Ramadan. Ask your friends who observe fasting in Ramadan which foods they select for Iftar time.