In Kuwait, Eid Al Adha is also a time for special dishes

Kuwait City: The distribution of meat is a common practice by many Muslims across the world during Eid Al Adha. Goats and sheep are sacrificed during this period for families to eat, share with their neighbours and donate to those that are less fortunate.

Apart from this, a wide variety of food is also served on the day.

Once people have finished praying and visiting relatives, Eid lunch is served where the main dish is usually meat based. Families get together around the table and enjoy the food, which is then followed with a selection of desserts.

A look at some of the food on the plate for Eid.

Meat Machboos

Machboos is arguably the national dish of Kuwait, which is prepared with either chicken or meat. Since eating sheep is a religious and cultural tradition, most families indulge in meat Machboos during this day.

Countries across the Middle East have a variation of Machboos like Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. In Saudi Arabia it is known as Kabsa, while in Bahrain the dish is also known as Machboos.

Ouzi

Ouzi is prepared in a couple of ways but it is mainly made up of rice, meat or lamb, roasted nuts and raisins. One method is Ouzi with ‘Laban’, a fermented yogurt, where the rice is mixed with the Laban and the meat is served on top with nuts. Another variation is where the Ouzi is wrapped in a Filo pastry and is served in individual portions.

Qaboot

Imagine an Arab and an Italian collaborated to make Ravioli, that is basically Qaboot. The dough is usually filled with onions, raisins and some spices. The meat is incorporated in the sauce, which is tomatoes based with many spices like cardamom, fennel, turmeric, cinnamon and dried lemons, otherwise known as Lumi.

Kubba

On the lunch table there usually are a couple different Kubbas, which are meant to be had as a side dish. While there are various types of Kubbas, the main ingredients are usually bulgur, minced onion and finely grounded meat. Some homes prefer a dill Kubba, while others prepare a potato Kubba.

Um Ali

Although Um Ali is originally an Egyptian dessert, this dish is commonly enjoyed by many Kuwaitis, especially during big family gatherings like Eid Al Adha. The dessert is made out of shredded pastry, which is blended with coconut flakes, pistachios, sugar and raisins and then topped up with milk, cream and cinnamon. Once the dessert is out of the oven it has a beautiful brown surface, that makes it impossible to resist.

Luqaimat

Luqaimat, which translates to a bite, is a Kuwaiti version of doughnuts. The small ball-like bites are fried dough dipped in sugar syrup. This dessert is commonly enjoyed in Ramadan but is also prepared during Eid Al Adha as it is a staple dessert in Kuwait.

Ice Cream

As Eid Al Adha has recently been occurring during the summer period, many people enjoy ice cream as a form of dessert. Pistachio and rose ice cream are Arab flavoured desserts that have grown popular in recent years. In addition, many local bakeries and ice cream parlours have added a modern twist to traditional Arabic flavours like Mahlbiya, Saffron and Rahash. Mahlbiya is a powdered milk based dessert that is enjoyed usually during Ramadan. As for Rahash, it is a sweet milky tahini-based Halwa.