A few meters away from the ancient Barquq Castle one of the important historical landmarks in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip the sons of Hajj Abu Sami Al-Jardali install their market stall for making Ramadan sweets Qatayef.
Since 1972 the owner of the oldest Qatayef stand has been working in Khan Yunis in a profession that the grandchildren inherited from their grandparents.
Jardali family members are welcoming the holy month of Ramadan by opening their stand to sell Qatayef in front of the most famous monuments in Khan Yunis.
The place reminds of the grandparents who are famous for making Qatayef throughout the year and not only in Ramadan but its high season remains in Ramadan.
Sami Al-Jardali told the PIC that preparing Qatayef is a profession that he had inherited from his grandparents and his father and they were famous for making this beloved Ramadan sweets.
On the first days of the month of Ramadan (the month of goodness and blessing) the streets of Khan Yunis begin to be decorated with Qatayef vendors which is the main dessert served with the Ramadan meals.
Jardali starts baking Qatayef by pouring a soft dough on hot oil.
“Qatayef is an essential profession for many sellers especially the sellers of sweets during Ramadan. Even though Qatayef is available throughout the year but it is popular in the month of Ramadan” he added.
Qatayef is the first competitor for all kinds of western and eastern sweets as the citizens of Khan Yunis wait for Ramadan every year to eat Qatayef and prepare it as a complement meal on the Ramadan table. In the afternoon dozens of Palestinians gather around the Qatayef stands.
Jardali is highly skilled in preparing Qatayef and he acquired this profession from his father who learned it from his father and they were all working near the Castle.
He pointed out that there is a great demand by citizens during the month of Ramadan to buy Qatayef noting that it is easy to make and affordable. The price of one kilo of Qatayef is 5 shekels only.
