Al-Hanini…a popular dish that reflects the value of Qassim’s food heritage

As the weather gets colder, Hanini is one of the popular dishes associated with By food heritage in the Al-Hanini is an aspect of the simplicity of the ingredients that the people of the region relied on; It is prepared from natural ingredients, including dates, qarsan or whole wheat bread, and local ghee or butter, which gives it a high nutritional value and makes it a complete meal that enhances energy and vitality.
These ingredients contributed to establishing its presence as a seasonal dish that has been passed down through the generations.

An Inherited Home Practice

The chef Umm Sultan mentioned that preparing this dish is a traditional home practice that she passed down from her family, She pointed out that the methods of preparing it have witnessed a remarkable development with the availability of modern tools, after preparing it in the past required a great deal of time and effort, stressing that this development contributed to facilitating production while preserving the traditional character of the taste.

She explained that the demand for Hanini increases during the winter season among different age groups, due to the nutritional benefits it enjoys stemming from its natural ingredients, noting that the stages of its preparation go through several steps that begin with preparing the bread and drying it, then Mixing it with good quality dates, before rubbing it with local ghee and shaping it into various shapes suitable for various occasions.

Part of the local cultural identity

In the same context, Umm Nayef, one of the participants in heritage events, confirmed that Al-Hanini represents an important element in introducing the food heritage of the Qassim region, noting that participation in festivals and popular markets contributed to highlighting this dish as part of the local cultural identity, and introducing visitors to the way it has been present in society since Decades.
She stated that preserving traditional preparation methods contributes to transmitting this heritage to new generations, pointing out that presenting Al-Hanini in heritage events allows productive families to share their experiences and enhance awareness of the value of local cuisine as one of the components of national culture.

In recent years, Al-Hanini has witnessed a presence in festivals and heritage events, among them "Nostalgia Festival" Which is held annually in Unayzah Governorate, as part of efforts aimed at highlighting popular dishes and supporting productive families.
Al-Hanini is a living example of the food heritage in the Qassim region, preserving its traditional identity, expressing man’s connection to his environment, and contributing to highlighting the richness of food heritage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

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