Town famed for popular Ramadan cake Zalabia скачать в хорошем качестве

Town famed for popular Ramadan cake Zalabia

(19 Jun 2017) LEAD-IN When people break their fast during Ramadan in Algeria one of the most common foods to see on the table is Zalabia. The town of Boufarik is famed for producing the sweet, fried treat - so it's not surprising its markets were buzzing during the holy month. STORYLINE Zalabia comes in many shapes and sizes including long sticks and round swirls. It can be found across the world. But in Algeria, the tasty snack takes on a life of its own during Ramadan. The town of Boufarik, 30 kilometres (17 miles) from the capital Algiers is the spiritual home of this sweet, semolina based, fried treat. "Everyone across the whole of Algeria knows what Boufarik is famed for is Zalabia and that it was invented here," explains patisserie chef Mohamed Djoudi. Zalabia is easy to make, using semolina, flour, oil and a pinch of yeast and salt - although the exact recipe for Boufarik's Zalabia is a closely guarded secret. There are many variations on traditional Zalabia, as cake seller Samir Djoudi explains: "There are several types, Zalabia de Boufarik on its own, or with almonds, hazelnuts or pistachios. Tunisian Zalabia is also popular, but not to the extent that our town's Zalabia is." Zalabia is eaten all year round but is particularly popular during Ramadan, when it decorates tables at family dinners to break the daily fast. "Zalabia has become sacred during this holy month. People come from the four corners of the country, including from the south, in order to get some of this lovely stuff," says shopper Ali Mameri. "We were just about to leave the area and go home, but we just had to pop over to Boufarik to pick up some Zalabia. It's the best," adds another shopper, Kheira Ben Mahdi. According to local legend, Zalabia derives its name from the phrase 'Zella bia', meaning 'Fate has decided against me'. The story goes that it got this name after someone once left pasta out to rise for too long, resulting in the sweet and yeasty snack. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...