Red Beans and Advice for Monday, April 3

The Ramadan food scene

For Muslims. this is the holy month of Ramadan. Observant Muslims are obligated to fast between sunrise and sundown (there are exemptions for medical conditions).

You might think that would result in a dismal food scene, since no one can eat breakfast, lunch or dinner in the hours before sunset.

But, Ramadan has its own food clock, albeit different than normal. As soon as the sun goes down, Muslims break their fast with Iftar meals. Traditionally, the first thing eaten is a dish of fresh dates.