What do Egyptians eat on special holidays?

Answer 1

The Egyptians eat a variety of fish and fowl. Beef, mutton, pork, and wild game such as hyenas were part of their eating habit . Fowl included domestic geese and pigeons and a wide variety of wild birds, herons, pelican, wild ducks, and wild geese. The Nile supplied many kinds of fish that contained catfish, mullet, bolti, and perch. but most egyptians avoided fish because of religious stigma. Many fish were caught and traded for other goods the farmers or fisherman needed. Meat was also roasted and stewed with special herbs and spices.

Egyptians enjoyed many drinks with barley in it like beer and wine. The national drink was beer. Some of the richer people drank three different kinds of wine. Poor people usually drank beer because they could not afford wine. Egyptians also would have a tea time in the middle of the afternoon. It was also served with milk, lemon, and sugar on the side. They adopted this custom of formal afternoon tea from the native Arabians.

Although Egyptian eating habits may seem erratic, most Egyptians began the day with a light breakfast of beans, eggs, pickles, cheeses, and jams.

In Egypt, dining out can range from stand-up sandwich bars to luxurious five course meals.

Most families eat a large starchy lunch and a light supper in the evening. Egyptian food reflects the country's melting pot history. Native cooks using local ingredient have modified Greek, Turkish, Lebanese, Palestinian, and Syrian traditions to suit Egyptians budgets, customs, and tastes. The dishes are simple, made with naturally ripened fruits and vegetables and seasoned with fresh spices. In Egypt, as in the rest of the world, restaurants are only as good as the cooks they employ, and cooks seem to be continually changing. For current information on the best restaurants, the expatriate community is unbeatable, and the magazine Cairo Today includes monthly tips listing places to try, and publishes an annual dining guide. Most establishments use native ingredients and will offer fruits and vegetables in season. Menus are in both Arabic and English except in Alexandria, where they are in Arabic and French. In large restaurants, the maitre d'hotel will speak English, French, and possible German, Italian, or Greek. These establishments serve a mixture of international cuisine but often include Egyptian or Middle Eastern fare as well. Most hotels also maintain 24-hour coffee shops.

Answer 2

On special holidays, Egyptians often enjoy traditional dishes such as stuffed pigeon (hamam mahshi), mulukhiyah, koshari, and various desserts like basbousa and konafah. Foods like feseekh (fermented fish) and colored eggs are also common during the celebration of holidays like Sham El-Nessim.