Fruit Chaat - Tangy Pakistani Fruit Salad

By Sumayya Khan, Canada

Fruit Chaat is a special fruit salad many Pakistanis make on a daily basis during Ramadan. Aside from our Iftar staples of fried potato fritters, fritters in yogurt, and spicy chickpea salad, fruit chaat is another staple we cannot go without. The word chaat in Urdu means “to taste” or a “delicacy.” This sweet and tangy delicacy is one to fill you right up after a long fast! 

Ingredients 

2 apples, medium

3 bananas

1 cup of grapes

3 oranges, medium

½ teaspoon of salt  

½ teaspoon of ground pepper 

½ cup orange juice (squeeze ¼ to ½ of an orange, mango juice can also be used) 

Chaat Masala spice, optional - this adds a spicy flavor, do not use more than a couple of pinches 

NOTE: You may add mangoes, pears, or plums or other fruit as well for variety on other days. Fruits with seeds are not desirable as the seeds get stuck in the teeth.

Instructions 

1. Slice the apples into 8 quarters, remove the seeds, and then cut the slices again into small pieces of about half an inch or 1 centimeter. 
2. Cut the oranges into 8 quarters, remove the peel, and then cut the slices into pieces of about half an inch or 1 centimeter. Make sure the seeds are removed and to use a sharp knife when cutting the orange pieces so that the membrane separates between each piece.
3. Halve or quarter the grapes depending on their size.
4. Cut each banana into half, and then cut them into thin slices. 
5. Mix all the fruits with a large spoon in any dish of your choice. 
6. Pour in the orange juice (or mango juice) and mix the fruit. 
7. Add salt and pepper. 
8. Sprinkle a few pinches of chaat masala if desired.

Not only is this dish nutritious, it also helps to replenish your electrolytes after a long fast. Enjoy! 

Sumayya Khan is a homeschooling mother of two and a teacher. She has worked with several Islamic schools and organizations in the last 10 years. She is currently teaching Literature online with Dawanet and studying the Qur’an through Al-Huda Institute. In her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and friends, play sports, enjoy nature, and read books. She currently resides with her family in Toronto, Canada.