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Introduction: Exploring Afghan Street Food

Afghanistan is home to some of the most flavor-rich and unique street foods in the world. The country’s cuisine is characterized by the use of fresh herbs, fragrant spices, and succulent meats. Afghan street food is not only delicious but also reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage. From the bustling streets of Kabul to the southern city of Kandahar, the culinary scene is diverse and exciting. In this article, we’ll explore some must-try Afghan delicacies that are guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds.

Kabul: The Heart of Afghan Cuisine

Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, is the heart of Afghan cuisine. The city’s bustling streets are filled with food vendors selling a variety of street food delicacies. One of the most popular street foods in Kabul is the fried dumplings known as ‘sambosas.’ These savory treats are filled with spiced minced meat or vegetables and deep-fried to perfection. Another must-try street food in Kabul is the ‘chelo kebab,’ which consists of juicy marinated meats grilled over open flames and served with fragrant rice and fresh herbs.

Kandahar: A Haven for Meat Lovers

Kandahar, located in the southern region of Afghanistan, is a haven for meat lovers. The city’s street food scene is characterized by its succulent grilled meats and hearty stews. One of the most popular street foods in Kandahar is the ‘tikka kebab,’ which consists of succulent chunks of marinated meat grilled over charcoal. Another must-try street food in Kandahar is the ‘qabili palau,’ which is a rice dish made with succulent lamb meat, carrots, and raisins.

Bolani: The Stuffed Flatbread Delight

Bolani is a popular street food in Afghanistan that can be found in most cities. It is a stuffed flatbread that is typically filled with mashed potatoes, onions, and fresh herbs. The bread is then fried or baked until golden brown and served hot with a side of tangy yogurt dip. Bolani is a perfect snack or appetizer, and it’s a must-try street food in Afghanistan.

Mantu: Afghan Dumplings with a Twist

Mantu is a popular street food in Afghanistan that consists of steamed dumplings filled with spiced minced meat and topped with a tomato-based sauce. This dish has a unique twist – the dumplings are typically topped off with a dollop of tangy yogurt and sprinkled with dried mint. Mantu is a must-try if you’re looking for a unique and delicious street food experience.

Kabuli Pulao: The King of Rice Dishes

Kabuli Pulao is the king of rice dishes in Afghanistan. It’s a fragrant and flavorful dish made with basmati rice, tender lamb meat, and a variety of aromatic spices. The dish is served with a side of sweet caramelized carrots, raisins, and nuts. Kabuli Pulao is a must-try if you’re looking for a hearty and delicious street food experience.

Ashak: The Vegetarian Delight from Kabul

Ashak is a vegetarian delight from Kabul that is made with delicate steamed dumplings stuffed with leeks, scallions, and fresh herbs. The dumplings are then topped off with a tangy yogurt sauce and garnished with a sprinkle of ground beef or lamb. Ashak is a must-try if you’re looking for a unique and delicious vegetarian street food experience.

Conclusion: Savoring the Flavors of Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s street food scene is rich and diverse, with a variety of unique and delicious dishes to try. From the hearty meat dishes of Kandahar to the vegetarian delights of Kabul, there’s something for everyone. So, the next time you find yourself in Afghanistan, be sure to explore the country’s street food scene and savor the flavors of this rich and vibrant cuisine.

Unveiling Afghan Street Food Delights

Afghan street food may not be as popular as other cuisines, but it is certainly worth exploring. From mouth-watering rice dishes to delectable stuffed bread, Afghan street food offers a unique gastronomic experience. Unveiling the mystery of uncommon Afghan street food delicacies is a must for food lovers who wish to explore new flavors and textures.

Introduction to Afghan Cuisine

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in South Asia, sharing borders with Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. Afghan cuisine is a blend of Middle Eastern, Central Asian, and South Asian flavors, with a unique touch that sets it apart from other regional cuisines. Some of the key ingredients used in Afghan cuisine are rice, meat, vegetables, herbs, and spices.

Unique Afghan Delicacies

Afghan cuisine is rich in unique delicacies that are not commonly found in other countries. Some of the most popular Afghan street food dishes are Kabuli Pulao, Bolani, Mantu, Ashak, and Qabili Palau.

Kabuli Pulao: A Rice Dish Like No Other

Kabuli Pulao is a popular Afghan rice dish made with long-grain rice, meat (usually lamb or beef), and a variety of spices. The dish is garnished with fried raisins, carrots, and almonds, which give it a sweet and nutty flavor. Kabuli Pulao is an excellent choice for meat lovers who wish to explore the rich flavors of Afghan cuisine.

Bolani: A Delicious Stuffed Bread

Bolani is a stuffed bread that is commonly eaten as a snack or breakfast food in Afghanistan. The bread is made with a dough of flour, water, salt, and sometimes yogurt. The stuffing can be made with a variety of ingredients such as potatoes, spinach, pumpkin, or leeks. Bolani is usually served with a dipping sauce made of yogurt, garlic, and mint.

Mantu: Afghan Dumplings with a Twist

Mantu is a type of dumpling that is commonly found in Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. The dumplings are filled with minced meat (usually lamb or beef), onions, and spices. They are then steamed and served with a tomato-based sauce and yogurt. Mantu is a must-try dish for those who wish to explore the rich flavors of Afghan street food.

Ashak: A Vegetarian Delight

Ashak is a vegetarian dish that is commonly eaten in Afghanistan. The dish is made with dumplings filled with scallions, leeks, spinach, and cilantro. The dumplings are then topped with a yogurt-based sauce and a tomato-based sauce. Ashak is a great option for vegetarians who wish to explore the rich flavors of Afghan cuisine.

Qabili Palau: A Hearty Meat and Rice Dish

Qabili Palau is a hearty meat and rice dish that is commonly served at special occasions in Afghanistan. The dish is made with long-grain rice, lamb or beef, carrots, raisins, and a variety of spices. Qabili Palau is usually garnished with fried almonds and is served with a side of yogurt. This dish is a must-try for meat lovers who wish to explore the hearty flavors of Afghan cuisine.

In conclusion, Afghan street food offers a unique gastronomic experience that is worth exploring. From mouth-watering rice dishes to delectable stuffed bread, Afghan cuisine is rich in unique delicacies that are not commonly found in other countries. By trying out these uncommon Afghan street food delicacies, food lovers can discover new flavors and textures that will tantalize their taste buds.

Sauces, dressings or pickles – none of them taste sweet, but these foods contain a lot of hidden sugar. We will show you which foods are very sugary and what alternatives there are.

Sugar: That is the recommendation

According to Quarks, the body does not need the free sugar (e.g. in industrially produced foods and juices) to survive. Nevertheless, we consume around 30 kilograms per person per year. Recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) or the German Society for Nutrition (DGE) are only for maximum sugar intake.

According to the WHO, free sugars should account for less than five percent of the total energy intake per day. The German Society for Nutrition considers this information to be outdated and recommends covering a maximum of ten percent of the total energy intake with free sugar. With an energy intake of 2,000 kcal/day, this corresponds to 50 grams. However, there is apparently no need to limit the sugar found in fruit, vegetables and milk.

Eating too much sugar increases the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and cancer. In addition, sugar attacks the teeth – by providing the caries bacteria with the food they need.

Too much sugar: There is hidden sugar in these foods

The consumption of sugar in Germany is far above the recommendations, writes the DGE. This also has to do with the fact that many are not aware of the foods in which sugar is hidden. Here is a list of foods:

1. (Fruit) yoghurt: a sugar bomb

Sounds healthy, but it’s a real sugar bomb: “There are six sugar cubes in 150 grams of fruit yoghurt,” warns nutritionist Matthias Riedl from Hamburg. The same applies to fruit quark, fruit buttermilk or probiotic drinks (e.g. Actimel). If you want to eat healthily, you may even be wrong, because low-fat yoghurt often contains additional sugar. Then it tastes more like a full-fat yoghurt.

The alternative: Antonia Wiedekind, ecotrophologist from Landau in der Pfalz, advises: mix natural yoghurt or natural quark with fresh or frozen fruit. However, frozen fruit must not contain any added sugar. The same applies to canned fruit or packaged fruit such as dried mangoes or cranberries, which often contain added industrial sugar in addition to fructose.

2. Juices and smoothies

Fruit is healthy – but not in every form. “The largest proportion of purchased smoothies is usually apple juice or another fruit juice with a high fructose content,” explains physician Riedl. Fruit juices with fruit juice concentrate or nectar often contain additional sugar. As a rule of thumb, Wiedekind summarizes that fruit should generally be eaten rather than drunk.

The alternative: If you don’t want to do without the smoothie, you can mix a green smoothie with herbs and vegetables such as spinach or lamb’s lettuce. Or with fruit that contains less sugar.

Otherwise we recommend: water with herbs, ginger, pieces of vegetables or fruit. This not only gives taste, but also looks pretty.

3. Sauces, dressings, dips

Ready-made dressings are great: open the lid and pour into the salad. But wait – take a look at the packaging first: “Sugar is almost always added to ready-made dressings, often in the form of glucose syrup,” reveals Riedl. Ultimately, you pour sugar on the green leaves. The same applies to packet soups, ready-made vegetable broths, sauce thickeners, barbecue sauces, ketchup or ready-made dips.

The alternative: It is always best to do everything yourself as far as possible: Wiedekind recommends home-made salad dressings and broths with fresh herbs or quark dips for finger food.

Cream cheese or quark mixed with herbs and vegetables is also a delicious substitute for ready-made spreads, says Carolin Hauck from the Institute for Nutritional Psychology at the University of Göttingen.

4. Muesli and cornflakes

Many people start the day with muesli and think they are doing something good for themselves. But nutritionist Wiedekind advises caution. “There’s a lot of sugar in sweetened cereals and cornflakes,” she says.

And Hauck adds: “The seemingly healthy muesli is often more of a dessert than breakfast, considering how many sweet ingredients many of the packaged mueslis in the supermarket have.”

The alternative: mixing your own muesli with unprocessed cereal flakes and spices like cinnamon and nuts. A handful of nuts are part of a healthy diet anyway.

5. Delicatessen salads and vegetables in a glass

Sometimes you just don’t feel like cooking, so you grab a can or a jar of almost ready-made food: a packaged herring or coleslaw, maybe a jar of pickled red cabbage, corn, or beans. Not a good idea, says nutritionist Riedl.

“Vegetables in a jar, especially red cabbage, contain a lot of sugar.” The same goes for gherkins in a jar. Fish or coleslaw from the pack or from the fresh food counter also contain additional sugar, he warns.

The alternative: You are on the safe side if you use fresh vegetables or frozen vegetables without cream sauces. And: “If you simply prepare your salad yourself, you always know exactly what’s in it,” says Riedl.

6. Ready Meals

Most people realize that a currywurst out of a pack or a frozen pizza is not particularly healthy. However, it is less well known that ready meals often contain a lot of sugar. The problem is that the manufacturers use some tricks to hide the sugar, says Wiedekind.

For example, it is camouflaged as “fruit sweetness” or hidden behind foreign words such as glucose, lactose, dextrose, sucrose, raffinose, maltose or fructose.

The alternative: rely on natural food – cook a lot yourself. Maybe even make your own pizza, ideally with wholemeal dough and specially chopped tomatoes seasoned with herbs. “Basically, the more natural a food is, the better,” explains Riedl. It’s worth paying attention to. Because if you don’t eat that much sugar with your main meal, you can treat yourself to a piece of chocolate or a light dessert afterwards.