Demand for winter delicacies spikes
A vendor serves yakhni (chicken soup) to his customers at a roadside stall in the Fawara Chowk area of Rawalpindi. PHOTO: ONLINE
As winter sets in, special traditional cuisines attract food enthusiasts across the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The enticing aroma of doodh jalebi, gajjar ka halwa, chicken corn soup, Kashmiri tea, fried fish, samosas, fritters, hot coffee, and other delicacies sees a surge in demand.
Numerous temporary stalls have sprung up along roadsides, selling all sorts of winter delicacies to a large number of customers. “The residents of the capital have been flocking food streets on the weekend to enjoy warm, tasty, and comfort food items in this chilly weather,” said a citizen at one of the stalls.
Another one hailing from Punjab, shared that the capital offers abundant restaurant choices, featuring not only Pakistani cuisine but also a diverse range of Italian, Chinese, and various other cuisines.
A fish vendor noted a significant spike in fish sales during the onset of cold weather, indicating a substantial rise in winter fish consumption. A group of youngsters emphasised that Punjabi cuisine finds its essence in sarson ka saag paired with makki ki roti (maize flour flatbread), labelling it as a seasonal speciality of Punjab.
Similarly, a young girl shared that “Gajar ka halwa is the most-liked traditional seasonal delight in our family, and we used to buy it almost twice a week as it is difficult to prepare it at home.”
A member of a family out for dining expressed that only a few things match the comfort and pleasure derived from savouring a cup of Kashmiri tea on a chilly evening. While describing its preparation, he mentioned that pink tea, made from tea leaves akin to green tea, possesses a unique taste. It has a creamy texture, accompanied by slight saltiness, nuttiness, and a lasting sensation of warmth, he added.
An elderly woman at a shop said “Panjeeri, also known as a Punjabi winter treat, is a nutritious dessert that keeps people warm in winter. Made of almonds, walnuts, semolina, sugar, desi ghee, and other herbs, this dry and crunchy sweet treat is quite similar to a traditional halwa.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 19th, 2023.