What Iftar Means to Our Nation
Ramazan is a month of blessings and togetherness. It is a great opportunity for every Muslim around the world to express gratitude and share. During the month of Ramazan, prayers are offered, and worship is performed. In this period, to better understand the condition of the poor and hungry, fasting is observed for a month between the imsak (dawn) and evening prayer times as commanded by our religion.
Iftar Programs and Preparation Phase
Iftar meals and iftar programs are an indispensable part of Ramazan. As a nation, we prefer to sit at the table together as a family during iftar and spend this period together throughout Ramazan. Students, faculty members, or public officials who are away from their families may break their fast alone.
While the importance of having a crowded iftar table has always been a priority for our people, making the table colorful, full, and delicious has also been a primary concern. Traditionally, home-cooked meals are prepared and served at the iftar table. However, with the increasing participation of women in the workforce in recent times, and the disadvantage of not being able to shop, food orders have increased. Even if not the main course, it has become more common to order appetizers, salads, soups, and desserts that will be consumed before and after the main course but take time to prepare.
What Can We Order When Preparing an Iftar Table
When preparing an iftar table, the main course, which will take a long time to cook, is usually prepared first. During the cooking process, appetizers, salads, and desserts are prepared in sequence. However, for orders placed from outside due to time constraints or other reasons, the priority should be ordering the item that will be the main course.
Since the body of a fasting person will be hungry all day, a very heavy menu should not be preferred as the main course. White or red meat can be preferred as the main course. Considering the cooking time, the distance the food will travel, and the density during iftar, the order should be placed 2 or 3 hours in advance if necessary.
Soup may not be preferred for ordering as it will cool down quickly. Instead, you can quickly make a hot soup yourself with instant soup mix.
Finally, instead of heavy desserts, a milk-based dessert like rice pudding (sütlaç) or caramelized milk pudding (kazandibi) can be ordered.
There are companies that serve iftar menus as packages throughout the month of Ramazan. These companies are both economical and fast. Furthermore, many of them are quite delicious. Orders can be placed from these companies during this period.
