In October 2007, queues formed in northern Algeria for zlabia during Ramadan. La Depeche de Kabylie reported on 3 October that the syrup-soaked sweet had become scarce and local residents had little choice but to line up outside specialist shops. Zlabia is fried batter saturated with honey or sugar syrup and is closely associated with the evening meal during the fasting month.
The day's fast ends at the same time for everyone. When a seasonal favourite is available from only a few shops, demand also converges at once. People in the queue were not waiting for an interchangeable piece of confectionery. They wanted the familiar taste that completes a recurring religious season. In a year of scarcity, the importance of a food tradition became visible outside the shop.