Iftaar is the evening meal that Muslims eat to break their daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan. For Muslims, Iftaar is a special celebration to break the fast at sunset each day. Families and communities come together each evening to eat, pray, and spend quality time together. The meals are sometimes elaborate feasts but can also be simple, depending on the person or family. Whether it's a modest plate of dates and milk or an elaborate spread of chaat, the vegetarian iftar, spread apart from the usual meaty feast, brings people together and nourishes both body and spirit as well.
Many delicious vegetarian dishes are prepared for iftar. These include fruit platters, pakoras (deep-fried fritters made from vegetables dipped in spiced chickpea flour batter), paneer tikka, tandoori mushrooms and more. Samosas, triangular pastries filled with potatoes and peas, are also popular. Other favourites are chickpea curries, vegetable biryanis, and fruit chaat. Iftar is a chance to share nourishing foods and enjoy each other's company after a long day of fasting. The variety of vegetarian dishes gives iftaar its special character.
Here are 6 vegetarian dishes to include for an Iftar feast
Kala Chana Chaat
To prepare Kala Chana Chaat, start by chopping onion, tomato, green chillies, small unripe mango and 2-3 tablespoons of cilantro leaves into fine pieces. In a bowl, combine cooked black chickpeas with the chopped veggies and mango. Then, add some red chilli powder, chaat masala, roasted cumin powder, and dried mango powder. Squeeze in some lemon juice, and garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve immediately while warm or chill for 1-2 hours before serving cold, optionally with lemon wedges on the side.
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Fruit Raita
A delightfully refreshing fruit raita comes together in minutes with simple pantry staples. Just whisk chilled yoghurt, then stir in a touch of sugar, roasted cumin, salt, and chili powder until combined. Fold in diced banana, apple, and juicy pomegranate arils. Garnish with extra pomegranate and fresh mint for a pop of colour and crunch. The sweet fruits contrast beautifully with the tangy yoghurt in this easy raita that makes a perfect accompaniment to spicy dishes.
Bombay Vegetable Sandwich
Bring Bombay’s famous street food to your kitchen with this veggie-packed sandwich bursting with flavour. Layer sliced bread with a schmear of spiced butter and chutney. Pile high with crisp potato, earthy beet, cool cucumber, pungent onion, and juicy tomato. Sprinkle on chaat masala and black salt for an addictive salty-sour kick. Press together and slice into triangles for a sandwich that will transport your tastebuds. This veggie sandwich is best enjoyed immediately—the vegetables release moisture, so savour each bite before it gets soggy.
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Kashmiri Pulao
Kashmiri Pulao is a fragrant and flavourful rice dish originating from the Kashmir region of India. To prepare it, start by soaking rice in water. Then, fry a mix of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and bay leaf in oil. Add ginger, fennel seeds, saffron, and the drained rice to the spices. Pour in water and salt and cook until the rice is tender. Separately, fry onions until golden, along with almonds, cashews, and walnuts until crisp for garnishing. Finally, top the tender rice with the fried nuts and onions before serving. Kashmiri Pulao pairs well with raita, paneer curry, or dal.
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Green Falafel
Make tasty green falafel with simple ingredients! Soak chickpeas overnight. Then blend with herbs, onions, garlic, and spices like cumin, pepper, and turmeric. Form mixture into balls. Fry in hot oil until golden and crisp. Yum! These flavourful veggie patties pair nicely with hummus, tahini, or chutney. Stuff in pita for a quick, healthy meal. With just a few ingredients, you can enjoy these flavour-packed falafel right at home.
Paneer Kathi Roll/Paneer Wrap
Make this delicious paneer kathi roll in just minutes! First, cut paneer into cubes and mix with a spiced yoghurt marinade. Let it soak up the flavours. Then cook the paneer and veggies until lightly browned. Wrap the paneer filling in warm parathas with onions, cilantro, and chutney. Secure with a toothpick and you've got a handheld meal ready to eat! With simple ingredients and easy instructions, this recipe lets you enjoy a tasty Indian street food at home.
Image credit: Freepik
Tandoori Mushroom Tikka
Mushroom tikka is a flavourful vegetarian appetizer made with marinated button mushrooms that are grilled or baked until tender and browned. To prepare it, first rinse and dry button mushrooms, then marinate them with ginger-garlic paste, spices, and oil. After marinating, add gram flour, mix well, and grill or bake until cooked through. Once done, sprinkle with lemon juice, chaat masala, and cilantro. Serve hot with mint chutney, bread, or roti for a delicious and easy-to-make dish.
Also read:Ramadan 2024: 6 Sweet Dishes For Iftaar
Phirni
Phirni is a creamy Indian dessert made with ground rice, milk, and sugar and flavoured with cardamom, saffron, and rose water. To prepare it, first, grind basmati rice into a fine powder. Then blanch, peel almonds and pistachios, and slice some for garnish. Heat milk, add saffron-infused milk, ground rice, and sugar, and cook until thickened. Add cardamom, nuts, and cook until rice is tender. Stir in rose water, pour into bowls, garnish with nuts, and chill before serving.