kabuli

Kabuli is an adjective and demonym derived from Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. It is used to denote origin or style associated with Kabul and appears in various contexts, including language, culture, and cuisine.

In Afghan and broader South Asian cuisine, Kabuli palau (often called Kabul pilaf) is a notable dish. It is a rice-based preparation typically featuring basmati rice layered with tender meat, usually lamb, along with carrots, raisins, and almonds, seasoned with warm spices such as cardamom, cumin, and cinnamon. The dish is admired for its balance of savory, sweet, and nutty flavors and is often served on special occasions.

Kabuli chana refers to a variety of chickpea known for its large, pale cream seeds. Kabuli chana is widely cultivated and used across the Indian subcontinent in dishes such as chana masala and chole, as well as in hummus and salads. It is distinct from Desi chickpeas, which are smaller and darker in color, and the two varieties are often used differently in regional cuisines.

Overall, the term Kabuli captures both a geographic association with Kabul and the culinary traditions linked to that city, as well as a specific botanical variety of chickpea used extensively in South Asian cooking.