Fridays in the UAE have a new purpose - to visit the Manbat Friday Market at Al Jada, Sharjah, where real estate developer Arada has come up with a residential township. The weekly market selling organic produce cultivated locally by Emiratis come alive at 3 pm on Fridays and goes on till 8 pm. Then comes two (English) movie screenings at 8 pm and 11 pm. In Covid times, a drive-in cinema becomes convenient; the weather is also perfect for outdoor activities. The market too will go on till May, when summer begins to get intense.
Thanks to a Facebook alert - or was it a newspaper clip - I was aware of the market's launch on January 19. However, I had to give the first two Fridays a miss - last Friday being the closing days of the Dubai Shopping Festival.
After visiting a small farm in Ajman's Al Helio - CeeTees, where we were able to buy eggs and milk and see hens, cows, deer and peacock - we headed to Al Jada, not very far away. The area is an upcoming locality with sleek villas and apartments.
If we thought we were early birds at the market, we were pleasantly surprised. A steady stream of cars made their way to the parking lot. We were lucky we could find a spot since it was still a little early in the evening.
The entrance has an iconic and unique design, just as every major landmark in the UAE. The temporary stalls selling vegetables maybe about a dozen and have the freshest looking produce. I dont remember seeing a cauliflower that looks as white and fresh as the ones here. The prices are almost on a par or less than the regular shops. In addition to cauli, we got broccoli, tomato, corn, kale, mint, potato etc. The Sharjah Co-op stall gave us a big box of red capsicum for patronising the stalls.
We promised ourselves to return another Friday for lettuce, brinjal, chillies and rosemary. Stalls selling honey are also present. Having bought a few bottles of honey on a recent trip to Hatta, we didnt need them immediately.
I wish some locally produced bananas also appear at the stalls soon.
There are numerous food trucks selling steaks, sushi, ice cream and other fast food, well-patronised by Arabs. We bought karak tea from "Project chaiwala" and made our way to our car just as cine-goers and merry makers were trooping in and making a beeline at the drive-through food stations.
#Manbat Friday Market
