When is Vegetable Alecha eaten in the Ethiopian Culture?

Answer 1

The "Vegetable alecha" is eaten in the "tsom"(fasting) season, of which the biggest ("Fisleta") takes almost 3 months, not forgetting every Wednesday and Friday in which Orthodox Christians aren't supposed to eat meat (except for "fish", which the more conservative ones are avoiding nowadays) and all dairy products. Here's a bonus for your cooking pleasures! The Recipe! ATKILT ALECHA (Vegetable Stew) Yield: 8 portions The Copts in Ethiopia have many fasting days on which they are not permitted to eat meat. Vegetables Alechas and Wats are substituted on these days. (The Wat differs from the Alecha in that it is made with a spice called Ber-beri or Awaze.) In a 4-quart saucepan: Saute: 1 cup Bermuda ONIONS in 4 Tbs. OIL until soft but not brown. Add: 4 CARROTS, peeled and cut in 1-inch slices 4 GREEN PEPPERS, cleaned and cut in quarters 3 cups WATER 1 6-oz. can TOMATO SAUCE 2 tsp. SALT 1/2 tsp. GROUND GINGER. Cook for 10 minutes covered. Add 4 POTATOES cut in thick slices. Plunge 2 TOMATOES in boiling water, remove skins, cut in 8 wedges each, and add to stew. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Add 8 CABBAGE WEDGES, 1 inch wide. Sprinkle with SALT and PEPPER. Cook until vegetables are tender. Correct the Seasoning. Place in an attractive bowl and portion out uniformly.