Cultural Spotlight - Ramadan Foods

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In Episode #29, co-hosts Bita and Beata explore the foods that are associated with the fasting month of Ramadan that many people in the Persian culture participate in.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ramadan is a one month long fasting period, following an Arabic calendar.  Many folks in Persian culture who are Isalmic in religious beliefs fast for the month of Ramadan.  Fasting occurs from sun-up to sun-down.  The date moves forward by approximately 10 days each year.  It is a time of spiritual reflection and self improvement.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Foods associated with Ramadan are often sweets to break the fast along with tea or hot water, but also energizing foods and comforting soup-y stews.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sweets associated with Ramadan:</span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Halva</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Caramel colored thick and creamy paste</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Made with wheat flour, butter and syrup of sugar, saffron, cardamom, and rose water (all very Persian flavors) </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Different from Arabic and other regional halvas in that it typically does not contain any tahini/sesame seed paste</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sholeh Zard | Dairy free Persian saffron rice pudding</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">A rice pudding made with water vs milk or cream</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Rice, water, and loads of saffron and sugar</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Decorated with cinnamon and slivered nuts</span></li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><span styl