Preparations for Eid-ul-Fitar reach a feverish pitch this week, marking the last few days of Ramadan. While shopping for apparel and presents consume most of the customers’ time and budget, a traditional dessert served at breakfast on Eid is a permanent feature on all shopping lists.
Vermicelli or ‘Seviyan’, cooked in milk and nuts or consumed dry, is the first thing one has on Eid, as per tradition. Catering to the hike in demand for vermicelli these days, bakeries, general stores and vendors have setup separate displays and counters showcasing different kinds of vermicelli and phanian. A shopkeeper at the Anarkali market said that the demand for vermicelli is increasing fast and several shops and stalls have been specifically set up to serve vermicelli to the customers. Manufacturers have concurrently increased production to meet the increase in demand.
Vermicelli is a traditional type of pasta round in section that is slimmer and flakier than spaghetti. The dish has several variations in how it is prepared and cooked. It is consumed as a savory dish in East Asia, used in upma (a breakfast dish) in India, rice puddings, etc. It can be made of wheat, the mung bean or rice and cooked accordingly. Cooking shows on various TV channels have dedicated entire segments to cooking vermicelli in a variety of ways. The sweet Eid breakfast essential is most popular among children who consider this rich concoction an annual treat. Rashid Ahmed, a senior citizen said that his family likes vermicelli on the morning of Eid because of its unique taste. He said that nowadays most people consume other dishes but vermicelli is still one of the most liked items.
Vermicelli cooked in milk and dry dates is called Sheer Korma, dry fruits like cashew nuts, almonds and saffron can also be added to enhance the flavor as well. Many prefer their vermicelli simply fried in clarified butter with flavoring and nuts and fruits added later.
As the fasting faithful deck their halls with ornaments this week, put Eid outfits together, buy matching bangles, decorate hands with henna, put presents for friends and families together and swap recipes, delicious seviyan for breakfast on Eid makes the hustle and bustle all worthwhile.
