Iranian New Year

[Jake]

Hi everyone. Popping in over here from Toronto to ask a question. I admit to lurking here often. I absolutely love all middle eastern food I've tried, and I'm lucky enough to have some friends who invite me to meals in their homes

Anyhow, yesterday in mid-town Toronto access to a very large park was restricted and streets in the area closed for an Iranian New Year celebration. I was wondering about the food, are there special traditional dishes that are served for this, or food related ceremonies of any type?

[Swisskaese]

A Persian friend of mine is coming to dinner on Friday night and I will ask him about it, but in the mean time....

The traditional menu for the Nowruz gathering on the day of the equinox usually includes fish and noodles. It is believed they bring good luck, fertiltiy and prosperity in the year that lies ahead.

Noodle Soup - Ash-e reshteh, noodles representing the Gordian knots of life. Eating them symbolically helps toward unraveling life's knotty problems.

Rice with Fresh Herbs and Fish-Sabzi polow ba mahi, fresh herb rice representing rebirth, fish representing Anahita, one of the angels of water and fertility. Or rice with noodles, dates and raisins, or rice with barberries, candied orange peels and carrots.

Herb Kuku- Kuku-ye sabzi, the eggs and herbs represent fertility and rebirth.

Bread, Cheese, and Fresh Herbs - Nan-o panir-o sabzi khordan, representing prosperity.

Wheat Sprout pudding - Samanu, representing fertitlity and rebirth.

Sprout Cookies - Kolucheh-ye Javaneh-ye Gandom, representing prosperity and fertility.

Ice in Paradise - Yakh dar Behesht, representing nourishment for the children of the world.

Saffron Sherbet and Saffron Tea with Rock Candy - Sharbat-e Zaferan va Chai-e Zafaran ba nabat, representing sweetness and light.

Baklava, Chick-pea Cookies, and Sugar Coated Almonds - Baqlava, Nan-e Nokhodchi, Noghl, representing prospertiy.

See this link on Nowruz (Persian New Year).

[scubadoo97]

Another link

http://www.farsinet.com/norooz/haftsinn2.html

[Jake]

Thank you for those links, the food sounds wonderful. Obviously, last night was "Red Wednesday" with bonfires etc. in the park Is anyone here celebrating with any of the 7 dishes described?

[persiancook]

Please see:

http://forums.egullet.org/index.php?showto...64108&hl=norouz

[lalala]

Thank you for those links, the food sounds wonderful.  Obviously, last night was "Red Wednesday" with bonfires etc. in the park  Is anyone here celebrating with any of the 7 dishes described?

←

We just jumped over a candle and ran for a flight to Boston that night.

However, we did No ruz on the 25th with a bunch of American friends and instead of stuffing a fish we just baked it. I made two kukus - sabzi and badamjoon (eggplant) which disappeared rapidly. Sabzi polo and some salad rounded out the meal.

Here are some pics of my haft-sin. I did one in Rome earlier that week and then one at home.

Rome 2006

Seattle 2006

Chagali badam (early almonds to eat)

Chahar Shambeh Souri Ajil

[Jake]

What wonderful photos, and you got to celebrate in Rome as well, how lovely. Thanks for sharing!