After recent rain in provincial capital the temperature has dipped further low especially during evening and night times which resulted in steep rise in the sale of winter foods including chicken corn soup, fish, gajar halva, samosas and pakoras etc. 

The vendors have set up their stalls in every nook and corner of the city selling chicken soup. Unlike the restaurants that also serve chicken corn soup of good quality these vendors not only provides the soup at cheaper rates but also provides boiled eggs along with the soup thus helping the low income class people to also have a taste of this winter food speciality.

Chicken corn soup calls for very simple ingredients: chicken, corn and egg. Chicken is cooked to make stock and pieces of chicken are added to the stock along with boiled corn. Soup is thickened by adding corn flour and egg is added to give it a rich flavor.

A vendor said that fish consumption multiplied in winter, which was evident from a dramatic surge in their sale during the cold weather.

And what to say about fried fish. The winter in Peshawar remains incomplete without the fried fish which is a specialty of the provincial capital. Same as the soup vendors these vendors selling fried fish at their roadside set up which pulls the customers with the aroma of the fish.

‘Gajar Halwa’ (Carrot Halwa) also, is considered to be one of irresistible food items in the winter. Prepared with carrots, condensed milk and dry fruits, the delicious halwa is not only a source of energy, but also adds colour and taste to the meal.

Doodh jalebi and Rasmalai also favorite winter delights. A shopkeeper at Melody said that the demand of Doodh jalebi increased due to winter season. Besides, fried food like pakoras, samosas and vegetable rolls are also high in demand now these days.