In Episode #23, co-hosts Bita and Beata continue exploring Norooz (the Persian New Year) including what traditionally goes on the symbolic Haft-Seen table setting, and foods that are served traditionally as well as modern-day.
Haft-Seen translation - ‘haft’ means 7 in Farsi, ‘seen’ stands for the letter that represents words that start with the ‘s’ sound
Items traditionally on the ‘haft-seen’ table that start with the ‘s’ sound and what they might symbolize or represent - choose 7 from the list
- Seeb - Farsi for apple - for beauty and health
- Sonbol - Farsi for Hyacinth flowers for beauty
- Seer - garlic - for health
- Serkeh - vinegar for aging and patience
- Senjed - dried wild olives - for love
- Samanou - what sprout pudding - for patience, power, and bravery
- Sabzeh - green grass (grown from lentils, bung beans, or wheat) - for growth and newness
- Sekeh - coins - for wealth and prosperity
Other items often on the New Year spread along with their meanings
- Goldfish - for movement and life
- Decorated eggs - for fertility
- Mirror - for reflection, light, and wisdom
- Candles - for enlightenment
- Rose water or orange blossom water - for fragrance and sweetness
- Shirini - sweets, pastries and cookies - for a sweet life!
What is the meaning behind Persian New Year?
- Renewal, cleansing, growth, healthy, spreading love, hope
- Family - paying respects to older family and friends
Rituals
- Aid Deedanee - translation: younger generations visit older relatives
- Aidee - farsi for gifts; traditionally cash (crisp, clean, new bills) for new year
- 13 days of eating and celebrating
Traditional Foods
- Herb Rice with Fish | Sabzi Polo Mahi
- Koo koo sabzi | Persian Herb Frittata
- Ash Reshteh | Persian Herb Bean and Noodle Soup
Beata and Bita close out this episode with encouragement to try setting a Haft-Seen table this year, and inspiration to prepare a couple of the traditional foods served for Norooz.
Ask the Beats!
Question from survey results: How to order Persian food from a restaurant?
- Order a variety of kebabs
- Try the doogh drink
- Order a variety of the Persian appetizers
- Try Persian tea and desserts
Resource links and recipes from this episode:
Ash Reshteh:
- Bita’s recipe for: Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup
- Beata’s recipe (short cut version): Ash Reshteh | Persian Noodle Soup – BeatsEats
- Beata’s recipe (long version): Asheh Reshteh – Persian Noodle Soup – Original Recipe Post
Koo Koo Sabzi:
- Bita’s recipe for: Koo Koo Sabzi | Quiche Muffins
- Beata’s recipe for: Persian Frittata Koo Koo Sabzi – BeatsEats
Herb Rice and/or Fish
Bita’s recipe for Easy Marinated Salmon
Decorated Eggs:
- Bita’s instructions for How to Make Marbelized Swirly Colored Eggs
Bita’s recipe for Easy Marinated Salmon
Podcast production by Alvarez Audio