In Arabic, the word “ftour” means breakfast. Throughout the year, it is used to designate its equivalent in French, eaten shortly after waking up. But during the holy month of Ramadan, it is at sunset that Muslims enjoy their ftour, since it is also the first meal of the day. For the occasion, each family pulls out all the stops: the tables are very rich, and everything is thought out down to the smallest detail. Many even have special dishes, used only during the holy month. And since it is the first meal of the day, the beautiful Ramadan ftour tables are often reminiscent of those of traditional breakfasts in different Muslim-majority countries. While of course, habits vary depending on the region of the world (or even homes), certain dishes remain essential symbols of this month such as the famous date to break the fast, soups or even pastries.
Also read: What do we eat for breakfast in Morocco?
In addition to the religious (since certain foods are mentioned in the sacred texts of Islam) and traditional dimension, no ingredient is left to chance. Even on a nutritional level, many promote digestion, or meet specific needs necessary for the body after such an effort.
Ftour dishes
The date
Yes, you recognized her! The common point between all ftour meals around the world is obviously the famous date with its brown reflections. According to Muslim tradition, it is primarily for religious reasons that the popularity of this fruit during the holy month can be explained. Indeed, it was by consuming a date that the Prophet Muhammad himself broke his fast.
Foods with many nutritional benefits, dates are a source of instant energy with their high sugar levels, which help restore blood sugar levels within the body. In fact, it is recommended to break the fast with a sweet food since their assimilation occurs more quickly by the body, which helps prepare the stomach to digest the rest of the meal.
Dates are particularly rich in potassium, calcium and magnesium. No wonder it is a crucial food in the month of Ramadan. It is also beneficial to eat this fruit all year round, preferably in autumn, when the date palms are full of it.
Soup
In most Maghreb countries, harira soup is traditionally in the spotlight, made with tomato broth, lentils, onions, chickpeas and spices. Everything is decorated with diced meat of your choice as well as a few fresh coriander leaves. A very filling soup, yet low in calories, harira combines all the ingredients of a complete meal: starches, proteins and fiber. Fresh herbs, such as parsley or coriander, also have a very specific role, since they improve digestion. Many other recipes are also served at ftour such as chorba made from vegetables, or even revisited Chinese noodle soups which have, in recent years, been increasingly common on ftour tables in many Maghreb countries. In addition to the soup, you can opt for the classic hard-boiled egg flavored with cumin, to stock up on protein for the following day.
Pastries and breads
Like the classic breakfast, the ftour is often very rich in pastries and bread of all kinds. Msemen, baghrir, briouates, but also pain au chocolat or croissant, anything goes! Batbout, small round breads made from flour, yeast and fine semolina, are the ideal option to complete your ftour quickly and easily. We stuff them with all kinds of fillings according to our desires, like the famous combo of chicken, onions, olives and candied lemon for example, or the minced meat and cheese duo that everyone agrees with!
Of course, impossible to forget chebakia, the essential North African pastry of Ramadan. Made from fried dough soaked in honey then covered with sesame seeds, chebakia are sold in many North African pastries in France, or even on the Internet.
Drinks
As for drinks, opt for your favorite fruit juice, or a glass of leben, this traditional fermented milk in the Maghreb and Middle East. Leben allows better digestion of lactose, and its slight acidity promotes the assimilation of calcium.
Regardless of the recipes chosen, the important thing is to have fun, while trying to cleverly move towards foods and recipes that will provide our body with the necessary nutrients after a long day of fasting.
