Soup, Gajar ka Halwa top winter delights

Seasonal stalls of fried fish pop-up in neighbourhoods, markets

KARACHI:

It is almost impossible that the chill in the weather holds back the citizens of Karachi from enjoying the culinary delights of winter.

As per the standards of the port city, known for its hot and humid days, the weather is cold. Though it is not snowing but even a mild 15 degree Celsius is enough to send them racing for coffee and soup in the evenings.

With the wet spell gone, the food streets of the megapolis are abuzz with teeming families and groups of youth enjoying soup, coffee, and various types of tea, besides the variety of fried fish, carrot halwa (Gajar ka Halwa) and munching on peanuts.

During a survey by The Express Tribune team, Khalid, a shopkeeper selling soup in Liaquatabad, said that there are only two months left until the ongoing winter season ends in Karachi. December and January are the coldest months in Karachi, which is why most people like to drink chicken corn soup and stock locally called yakhni.

He said that various types of yakhni and soup are sold in different parts of the city which provides temporary employment to many people. He said that at present a cup of plain yakni sells for Rs30-40, yakhni with egg for Rs60-80, throw in some shredded chicken and a slice of boiled egg and its price tag is Rs100 and for a bigger bowl Rs200.

Khalid shared that he sells chicken corn soup for Rs40 and the with slice of boiled egg is for Rs60 or more. He said that the price of soup is different in each area.

Rashid Bengali, who sells fish in Keamari, said that people love to eat fish in winter season and people come from far and wide to eat fish at Keamari. Plain fry, fish grill, fish broast, fish katakat and other types of fish are sold, which have different prices. Crab soup is also sold in many places.

Hashim, a shopkeeper who sells carrot halwa in Liaquatabad, said that people eat carrot halwa and hot cham cham in winter season. While, milk jalebi, chuwara milk and saffron milk are also very popular and people come in groups to enjoy the hot dairy delights.

He said that the winter food is sold at Burns Road, Kharadar, Tariq Road, Saddar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Federal B. Area, Hussainabad, Nazimabad, Orangi Town and other areas.

On the other hand, it was noticed that most of the tea houses in the city are crowded at the moment. Shamsullah, a tea maker at a tea house, said Karachi has the highest sales of tea at night in winter. Young and old alike enjoy drinking tea individually and collectively.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2022.