I am also an old Kulfi lover like Owais. This photograph, from Lahore Nama, immediately got my attention and brought back so many childhood memories.
Originally taken by Ane Malik, this photo represents once the most cherished desserts of Lahore. It was posted on Lahore Nama by Raza Rumi, a gifted writer whose articles are regularly featured at ATP.
Unfortunately, just like the Gola Ganda and Lacha/Gatta (man with ringing bell who sold us sweet candy in shapes of cars, giraffe, cats, superman etc), the traditional Kulfi is also diminishing slowly. It is rare now that we see the traditional styled Kulfi Carts decorated and painted in vibrant colors and with traditional motifs and with names of Allah and Sufi Saints.
I, at least, am disappointment at losing our Kulfi, Gola Ganda and Lacha/Gatta walas who brought us joy when we were kids.
My memories of the kulfa wala go back to the mid fifties in the walled city (Lahore) where there was a one armed man who carried a barrel of kulfa. He would serve it on banana leaves. I don’t think I ever had better kulfa in my life.
Back in 80s I was studying at FC college and this Kulfi you mention here was our best companion in chilling hot summer. I used to go home (new muslim town) from FC College on my racing cycle. I still remember a kulfi vendor near the gate of PCSIR lab and we, a bunch of first year friends on our cycles, used to get one everyday from him. It was refreshing and fulfilling experience that I still cannot forget.
Another thing, our favorite, was bhutta or challi (corn). I have been told that bhutta can still be found easily in Lahore, even today.
Those were the days :)
Brings back tons of memories from my school/college days in Karachi. Hot sunny days, countless cricket matches played at ground on Kashmir Rd…… and then the break for the Qulfi vendor. The awesome taste of a qulfi dipped in Khoya topped with powdered coconut. Oh! and not to forget the integral sound of his Ghanti (bell) that used to announce his arrival.
Mary Hopkins was so right when she sang “Those were the days …….”
In the summers on the way home from school my mother and I would get kulfi from a vendor parked outside Ganga Ram Hospital. Eventually, he started recognising our car and would have two kulfis ready by the time we pulled up next to him :)
My mother was quite lenient when it came to us eating junk food off the street for which I am eternally grateful to her, it gave me an extremely hardy digestive system that rarely gets upset about what I put in it.
flavored milk is nice too but it cannot be the substitute of a nice cold kulfi or an orange/blue gola. I wish i could come back to lahore right now and get one of these.
What about dood wali bottle? Did any of you ever try that? Flavored milk with almonds, pistachio, and a hint of cinnamon…
Yesssss. the khoye wali thandi qulfi combined with multicolor gola. What a treat it would be!!
If you can’t get the tradional qulfi then I highly recommend ‘Chillout’ in Barkat Market, Lahore. Their handmade ice cream is the best ever.
Wish I coudl be eating one of these right now!