Gathering together with family and friends for a holiday is rarely complete without food. Here are eight celebrations dear to the hearts of Egyptians and the foods associated with them. Coptic Epiphany On 19 January, Egypt celebrates Eid Al-Ghetas, or Epiphany. On this holiday, Coptic Christians gather for a feast of qolqas or taro root soup after a short fast. Epiphany is a holiday celebrated to commemorate the baptism of Christ. The word ghetas itself is derived from the Arabic word meaning immersion. Though the connection between the holiday and the taro root vegetable is not confirmed, Coptic historian Atif Naguib said that the choice of a root vegetable is associated with the Biblical verse, “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead”. Trending social media fights about its popularity notwithstanding, qolqas is an Egyptian staple that is enjoyed across the country. Made up of cubed taro root swimming in a rich, herby broth, this dish is as warming as it is nutritious. Even those who do not enjoy…
