Matazeez

Matazeez is a traditional popular dish known in the Qassim region, and it is among the dishes that have not faded over time. [2]

It is one of the dishes the region is known for in Ramadan, alongside other plates such as luqaimat, marasee', sambousek, tawah, soups of various kinds and qursan. [1]

The region's residents regard popular dishes as part of Ramadan customs and of the community's identity, and these dishes are present on iftar tables. [1]

Popular dishes are present on iftar tables in the Qassim region during Ramadan and have secured a place on the region's Ramadan table list, and Matazeez is among the dishes it is known for. [1]

During the holy month, homemakers, productive families and restaurants in the region compete to vary popular dishes and different plates. [1]

Alongside Matazeez, the traditional popular dishes that the Qassim region is known for and that have not faded over time include Jareesh, marqooq, hubaish, duwaif, sawee', mijmar, qursan (known as al-marahif), marasee' and masabib. [2]

The region is also known for agriculture: it is the largest date-palm growing area in the world, and it hosts the world's largest dates market at the Dates City in Buraydah, the largest market for Saudi dates. [2]

The Qassim region is one of the thirteen administrative regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; its seat of government is the city of Buraydah, and it covers an area of 73.000 km². [2]

The Culinary Arts Commission designated Jareesh as the national dish of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Maqshush as the national dessert on 11 January 2023, coinciding with the launch of the National Dishes and Regional Dishes Narratives initiative. [3]

The initiative catalogues well-known local dishes closely tied to Saudi identity and classifies them across all regions of the Kingdom, celebrating them and documenting their recipes. [3]

As part of preserving the national culinary heritage, the Culinary Arts Commission reprinted The Art of Saudi Cooking, the first book devoted to Saudi recipes. [4]

The Al-Waleema Saudi Food Festival includes an area with 13 stations representing the various regions of the Kingdom, where popular dishes known in Saudi cities and villages are served. [5]

Q: What is Matazeez? A: It is a traditional popular dish known in the Qassim region that has not faded over time, and the region's tables are known for it in Ramadan. [1][2]

Q: Why is Matazeez associated with the month of Ramadan in Qassim? A: Because popular dishes are part of Ramadan customs and of the community's identity for the region's residents; they are present on iftar tables, and homemakers, productive families and restaurants compete to vary them. [1]

Q: What other traditional popular dishes is the Qassim region known for? A: Jareesh, marqooq, hubaish, duwaif, sawee', mijmar, qursan (known as al-marahif), marasee' and masabib. [2]

Q: How are Saudi popular dishes and their recipes documented? A: Through the National Dishes and Regional Dishes Narratives initiative, which catalogues well-known local dishes closely tied to Saudi identity, classifies them across all regions of the Kingdom and documents their recipes; during it, the Culinary Arts Commission designated Jareesh as the national dish and Maqshush as the national dessert on 11 January 2023. [3]

Q: Where can a visitor learn about these popular dishes? A: At the Al-Waleema Saudi Food Festival, which includes 13 stations representing the Kingdom's regions and serves popular dishes known in Saudi cities and villages. [5]