Hazara cuisine facts for kids

Hazara cuisine, also known as Hazaragi cuisine (Hazaragi: غذای آزارگی), is the traditional food of the Hazara people. They live in Afghanistan and western Pakistan, especially in the Balochistan province. Their food has been shaped by flavors from Central Asia, South Asia, and Persia. This means it shares some similarities with food from nearby regions. But Hazara cuisine also has its own special dishes and cooking styles.

The Hazara people are very welcoming when it comes to food. In Hazaragi culture, it is a tradition to cook special meals for guests. They also offer guests the best seats during meal times. Many Hazaras eat their food using their hands. They do not often use forks, knives, or spoons.

Hazara meals often include foods high in protein. These include different types of meat and dairy products. They also use a good amount of oil in their cooking. Usually, a Hazara meal focuses on one main dish. However, for big parties or when guests visit, many different foods might be prepared.

Breads: A Main Part of Hazara Meals

Breads are a very important part of Hazara cuisine. There are three main types of bread that Hazara people enjoy:

• Tawa bread: This bread is cooked on hot, flat plates.
• Tandoor bread: This bread is baked in a special oven called a "tandoor". A tandoor is a sunken, clay oven.
• Nan-buta bread: This is a thick, brick-sized bread.

Rice is not eaten as often in rural Hazara areas. This is because it can be quite expensive. Tea is a very popular drink among the Hazara people. Fruits and vegetables are usually eaten only when they are in season.

Popular Hazara Dishes

Here are some popular dishes you might find in Hazara cuisine:

Dumplings and Noodles

• Mantu: This is a type of traditional Hazara dumpling. It usually has a tasty meat filling inside.
• Ashak: This is another traditional Hazara dumpling. It commonly has a filling made from garlic chives.
• Aash: Traditional Hazaragi Aash is a simple noodle dish. It is served with Kashk or Ayran, which are types of yogurt. Fresh mint and salt are also added. In Hazarajat, a powder called "Pudina" is sometimes sprinkled on top. Pudina is a plant similar to mint that grows only in Bamyan.

Hearty Meals

• Bolani or Pirki: This dish is similar to a paratha. It is made with boiled potatoes, spring onions, or gandana. Gandana is a vegetable that looks like a mix between a leek and a spring onion. Garlic, salt, and black pepper are also added.
• Dalda: This dish is made from boiled crushed wheat. It is served with melted desi ghee or butter. Often, brown fried onions are added for extra flavor.
• Qabardagh (also called Surk Kada in some areas): This dish uses meat, often ribs. The meat is fried with garlic and salt. Then, it is steamed until tender.
• Pai'cha: This is a special winter dish. It is made from boiled parts of a cow or sheep, like the head or feet. Onion, garlic, salt, oil, and wheat berries are added. Sometimes lentils or other beans are also included. It simmers for many hours on low heat. This dish is very rich in gelatin and minerals.

Drinks and Desserts

• Shir Rogho: This is a hot milk tea with butter added to it.
• Changali or Malida: This is a dessert. However, it is often served with black or green tea for breakfast.
• Halwa e Samanak (also called Halwa e Sia or Surkh): This sweet treat is made from flour, germinated wheat, and water. It is fried in oil and then simmered for four hours to become firm. It tastes sweet even though no sugar is added.

Other Dishes

• Naan Butta
• Shola
• Aw joshak
• Sheer Birinj: The name means "milk rice".