Ramadan Foods to Break the Fast

This year Ramadan is observed by Muslims throughout the month of August. During this time, the observant refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset and visit mosques to pray for forgiveness. 

When night falls, they break the fast with sweet and easy to digest foods such as dates, apricot mousse, rice pudding and a sweet stuffed dough. Mokhter "Mike" Ramadan has been preparing these treats for the past five years at his store called Sahara 34 Halel Meat Market and grocery, located in a strip mall off Route 34 South. 

"Fasting is very important to teach yourself to say no to food and drinks, which is most desirable to humanity," said Ramadan.

"Fasting is not just about food and drink, but also behaving, manners and patience. It's a month of reforming yourself," he said. 

It can't be easy to refrain from snacking in a store packed with such interesting specialties. Sahara 34 features baked goods, a butcher counter, refrigerated yogurts and cheese, and shelves deeply packed with hard-to-find grains, exotic juices and canned and jar specialties from across Europe and the Middle East. 

Their adjoining restaurant serves eat-in or take-out ethnic dishes like hummos, gyros, shish-kebab, falafel, spinach pie, fish and baklava.