A woman's hair is always tied back and concealed under a kercheif or scarf. Surprisingly for a country that is mostly uncultivable desert, some of the more interesting Turkmen dishes are vegetarian. Herb-filled pastries and cornmeal pancakes are common in the markets. Porridges with mung beans, or of cornmeal and pumpkin, or of rice, milk and yoghurt, can make a meal. Economic and political stagnation has had a major effect on Turkmenistan's food industry.
Restaurants are scarce and the fare is generally miserable.
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