Afghan cuisine and eating habits have evolved over many centuries and is a fusion of the regions that neighbour Afghanistan. Food in Afghanistan is enriched with spices and rich aroma.  Garam masala, saffron, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, chillis, leeks, coriander, parsley, mint and black pepper are common spices used for cooking. Pulao, Qabli Pulao, Afghan Kofta (meatballs), Nan-i-Afghan (Afghan bread), Quroot (dried yogurt), Osh Pyozee (stuffed onions), Sher Berinj (rice pudding), Qabli Pulao (traditional rice dish), Mantu (meat dumplings), Dampukht (steamed rice) and Kababs (skewed mean chops) are popular dishes. Due to environmental factors people take food rich in fat and protein, and vegetarian dishes are not so popular in Afghanistan culture.

Afghan Specials

Qabli Pulao: is steamed rice with raisins, carrots, and mostly lamb. It is eaten with meat and vegetables.

Kababs: are mostly served with naan. Lamb kababs, lamb chops, ribs, kofta (ground beef) and chicken kababs are popular in Afghanistan.

Qorma: is curry made with fried onions, meat, spices and vegetable.

Mantu: are steamed dumplings with minced onion beef.

Shorma: is soup made with variety of items and is very important part of Afghan cuisine.

Breads; variety of breads are available in Afghanistan and they are locally called Naan, Obi Naan and Lavash. Naan is thin , long  and oval shaped bread made up of wheat. Obi Naan is thicher than naan and is shaped like a disk. Lavash is very thin bread used as plating for meats and stews.

Fruits and Nuts: are inseparable parts of Afghan food. Melons of Mazar-e-Sharif, oranges of Jalalabad, grapes and pomegranates of Kandhar are popular. Walnuts, almonds, pistachios, pine nuts, grapes, apricots, pomegrenates, plums and berries are popular in Afghanistan.

Tea (chai) and milk products like yogurt and whey are commonly found in Afghanistan.

Qabli Pulao

Photo Source URL: http://www.justfoodnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Qabili-pulao-is-the-national-dish-of-Aghanistan-image-wikipedia.jpg

http://afghanistan.saarctourism.org/culture.html

http://www.central-asia.info/afghanistan/cuisine

http://afghanistan.saarctourism.org/food.html

http://www.afghan-web.com/culture/cooking/

For Afghan Food Recipes: http://www.asian-recipe.com/afghanistan