Recipes for Ramadan: Ali Nazik from Beyza Koca (Turkish Lamb with Eggplant)

For Ramadan, my family and I cook ali nazik kebab, a delicious combination of grilled smoked eggplant mixed with yogurt and topped with a tender lamb stew. For our special occasions, my dad becomes our chef and does most of the shopping. My mother and I help her with the preparation and organization of the kitchen. Ali nazik is one of our favorite dishes and comes from his hometown of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey.

Before the recent earthquake, Gaziantep was known as the Paris of eastern Turkey. It was famous for its economy, standard of living and food. The word "antep" actually means delicious food and talented, generous hosts. Near the border with Syria, you can also see and taste Arabic cuisine influences.

During Ramadan in Gaziantep, iftar not only means sharing with your loved ones but also share with your neighbors and those who need it. I can't imagine what it's like there right now, but my father tells me that at iftars when he was young, there were hundreds of people sitting on their knees around sofras (a piece of cloth that you put on the floor to serve a meal instead of using a table). Young men and women were serving many dishes and it was so loud. When everyone was seated and had their plate, no one was talking - everyone was waiting for the Adhan (call to prayer) that tells us we can break the fast. And then came the sounds of spoons touching plates, drinks pouring into glasses, eating, drinking and talking.

Our Ramadan is always characterized by the theme of giving and of giving in as many ways as we can. Giving to charity is especially important during Ramadan because it is the month when we experience the hardships of hunger by fasting from dawn to dusk. We are encouraged to give zakat (charity) all year round but during Ramadan the rewards for your good deeds are multiplied by a thousand.