This year, the Surajkund mela (fair), being held just 8 kms from the Indian capital, New Delhi, is being organized in partnership with Egypt, a country famous for its rich tradition of food, culture and arts and craft.

This fortnight long, annual event, which showcases India’s rich handloom and handicrafts tradition, will also focus this time on the Egyptian story, through an arts and craft enclave, which will be used to hawk the rich tradition of the ancient Pharaohs. The Egyptian food will definitely be the highlight of the event as it is being served at various stalls put up for the purpose. Some of the most popular dishes on offer are 'Koshari', 'Ta'miyya' and 'Om Ali'. In tune with the tradition, all food is vegetarian, and even the extremely popular shawarma (a roll, originally stuffed with meat) has been improvised into a cottage cheese shawarma.  The description follows:-

1) Koshari

Koshari or Kushari is the Egyptian national dish and a distant cousin of the Indian 'khichri'. It is a mixture of rice, lentils, chickpeas, and macaroni, topped with Egyptian garlic, vinegar, and spicy tomato sauce. This dish is garnished with crisp caramelized onions.

2) Ta'miyya 

This is a type of falafel, made of chickpeas, and served with pita bread. It is a staple diet in Egypt and gets its name from the Arabic word for ‘nourishment’. 

3) Om Ali

For dessert, there is 'Om Ali', the Egyptian bread pudding. It contains phyllo dough or puff pastry, milk, and nuts.  ‘Om Ali’ literally means Ali's mother. It is said that the dish is named after the woman who invented the recipe. According to another legend, Om Ali was the first wife of the sultan Ezz El Din Aybek. When the sultan died, his second wife had a dispute with Om Ali, resulting in the second wife's death. To celebrate, Om Ali made this dessert and distributed it among the people of the land!

However, don't think that food is the only highlight of the festival. You get to savor a lot more once you are there. Just take precautions to eat from hygienic space and carry your own water if you do not want to end up with stomach cramps after the festival. In case this blog has had you asking for more, don't forget to read the mediterranean lunch menu.

Image Courtesy: touregypt.net