The sale of Haleem, a creamy meat delicacy usually made with mutton and lentils, surges during the month of Ramadan, tantalizing the taste buds of Muslims in Kolkata, as fasting is broken with special foods at sundown.
Foodies in Kolkata travel to special joints for taking a bite of Ramadan dishes.
Haleem makes for a full meal for fasting Muslims due to the nutritive value of its ingredients like meat, pure ghee (saturated fat) backed by the right choice of spices, wheat, clarified butter and dry fruits.
"Haleem is not a contemporary dish; it's been famous since the time of Mughals. It's basically a delicacy of Mughal cuisine. It's specially made in the month of Ramadan, for the maintenance of body's health and variety of grains are put in it which has high nutrient value. Home cooked Haleem is even much better than what is cooked in restaurants because variety of dry fruits is put in it as well. The best type of Haleem can be found only in Hyderabad," said a customer, Khursheed Akram.
Owners of eating joints said they usually run out of Haleem, which is made only during Ramadan, within three hours, well before the breaking of the fast.
"Haleem sells the most during Ramadan only. This is the only dish that is ordered the most. Customers prefer eating it in Ramadan, especially the Muslim customers who fast during the month of Ramadan, it is beneficial for them as its high in protein. Though not only Muslims, but many non-Muslims like this dish as well," said a restaurant owner, Antaiyab Khan.