RIYADH: Balila, a hummus-based salad, is a widely popular Hijazi dish across Saudi Arabia.
And if you’ve been to Madinah during Ramadan, the street stalls selling balila are an essential scene every night of the holy month, mainly outside the Masjid Nabbawi.
Many Saudis and visitors to the city like to stop by right after Taraweeh prayers (evening prayers) to grab a bowl. It mainly consists of boiled chickpeas seasoned with a variety of spices and sauces.
Street vendors dressed in traditional clothes stand in slots dedicated for their carts, which are creatively decorated with lights and Ramadan lanterns to attract customers.
Not only the smell of the hummus draws people, but also the songs chanted by the vendors to get the attention of the passerby, a unique facet of the profession.
A balila vendor in the area, Khaled Turki, said he has been selling the hummus-based dish for the past 18 years.
He said selling balila is an essential Hijazi tradition during Ramadan, as vendors scatter across the city’s streets as soon as the holy month begins.
He says the dish is popular among young and old alike.
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