KOTA BHARU, April 5 (Bernama) -- The transition phase to endemic has given food traders, especially the traditional ‘colek’ (snacks) vendors in the state a breath of fresh air when customers began to throng their stalls again after performing the Tarawih prayers.

A trader, Nor Azizah Mohd Nor, 44, who runs a stall in Melor here said she had prepared 30 varieties of ‘colek’ to meet customer demand.

Speaking to Bernama, Nor Azizah said among her customers’ favourites are fried shrimps, beef lungs, fish balls, sausage, shrimp and crab meat which are dipped in simple batter before frying, keropok lekor, popiah or spring rolls and ‘colek malas’ or jemput-jemput (fritters) and fruits.

“Each ‘colek’ is sold between RM1 and RM5 each. 

“I sell them cheap because I want people around Melor, Ketereh, Kadok, Mahligai, Gunong and Pasir Puteh to have the opportunity to enjoy the deliciousness of the ‘colek’,” she said when met here yesterday.

When asked what makes ‘colek’ that she sells exceptional, Nor Azizah or affectionately called Kak Zah Petron Melor said her ‘colek’ are special because she prepares them in three different flavours, namely ‘colek nisey kerek’ (palm sugar), ‘colek pedas’ using dried chillies and ‘colek manisan gula’ (sweet).

“I normally start my business at 8 pm and will close at around midnight. The response has been very encouraging since the first day of Ramadan.

“I am grateful as this year I am able to trade as usual compared with only takeaways during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period,” she said.

She also employs seven helpers daily to cope with demand.

‘Colek’ are a must-have Ramadan traditional snacks that are very popular in Kelantan.

-- BERNAMA