Lahndi Meat: A Winter Delicacy from Balochistan

Winter specialties from the wilderness

Lahndi Meat strung up to dry (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation

A Taste of Winter: Lahndi Meat's Cultural Journey

Lahndi Meat is a simple dish reflective of Balochistan's extreme climate and rough terrain. It is normally enjoyed by tribesmen during the winter, as it is eaten to keep warm. It has now become a popular winter delicacy all over Pakistan.

A butcher cutting a piece of the dried lahndi meat (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Lahndi is prepared from sheep and goat meat. It is known for its long shelf life and its ability to provide sustenance in regions with limited refrigeration. It is also valued for its portability, making it a convenient source of protein for nomadic communities and travellers.

A piece of dried landi meat (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation

The best time to prepare Lahndi is December, due to cooler temperatures that aid in meat preservation along with the abundance of fresh meat available during this time. The preparation time for Lahndi meat takes up to 15 days, but varies depending on how cold the region gets.

Lahndi Meat Balochistan's Winter Delicacy (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Watch our video on the cooking process behind Lahndi.

Cooking of the Landhi, in Quetta (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Cooking Lahndi is a two-step process involving double boiling of the meat. The first boil removes salt and preservatives, while the second adds a blend of herbs and spices for flavor enhancement.

Lahndi during the cooking process, in Quetta (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Once prepared, Lahndi produces a delectable soup that accompanies the dish, resulting in a satisfying and hearty stew.

Top view shot of Lahndi and roti, in Quetta (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Lahndi can be served alongside rice, kak bread or naan.

Quroot is the omani cheese which is found in the Jannat Bazaar (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Qurut (Dried Cheese)

Qurut, a variety of dried cheese, is crafted through the fermentation of milk into yogurt, often sourced from cows. This yogurt is then strained to separate the curds from the whey. The curds are shaped into small pellets or balls, and then sun-dried or oven-dried.

Close Up of qurut (Dried cheese) being rehydrated with warm water in Gulkhin, Hunza valley (2021)SOCH Outreach Foundation

In Balochistan, milk is frequently transformed into qurut as a preservation technique to minimize food waste. Notably, qurut stands as an eco-conscious choice, demanding less processing than industrial cheese and subsequently lowering carbon emissions.

Adding Qurut into the cooking pot, in Quetta (2023)SOCH Outreach Foundation

Qurut is a long-lasting ingredient and is regularly added in soups, stews or savory dishes to enhance and add a sour note to dishes.

Credits: Story

SOC Films Team

Creative Director: Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy
Producer: Sameer Khan, Huma Shah
Associate Producer: Sara Sharif
Research Associate: Sara Sharif
Project Manager: Quratulain Khalid
DOP: Murtaza Ali
Photography: Shoaib Tariq
Photography Editor: Shoaib Tariq
First Camera: Nadir Siddiqui
Second Camera: Shoaib Tariq
Exhibit Writers: Samar Ather
Exhibits: Sameer Nazim
Video Editor: Jason Liao, Azeem Charania
Colour Grade: Jason Liao, Azeem Charania
Assistant Video Editor: Misrah Nizami
Sound Design: Sameer Khan

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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