In Episode #22, co-hosts Bita and Beata give an overview of the Persian New year including when it is, the symbolism around this important holiday, and some of the rituals around preparing for the customary 13 days of festivities.

 

What is Norooz (also spelled Nowruz, Norouz, etc.):  direct translation from Farsi is “New Day”.  Also referred to as Eid or Aid Norooz.  A Persian New Year celebration (the new year based on the solar calendar) and tradition originating in Zoroastrian times almost 4000 years ago. This year the new year will be the year 1400!

 

When is the Persian new year?

• The Persian New Year falls on the first day of spring at the exact moment of the vernal equinox (typically falling somewhere between March 19th and 21st in our northern hemisphere).  This year, in 2021, the exact time of Persian New Year is 2:37:28 AM, Saturday March 20, 2021 (PST)

 

What is the meaning behind Persian New Year?

• Renewal, cleansing, growth, healthy, spreading love, hope
• Family - paying respects to older family and friends

 

Customs and rituals taking place in preparation for the turning of the new year

• Spring cleaning and cleansing of home mind, body, and soul
• Shopping for a fresh new outfit, shoes, clothes to be worn on Norooz for good luck
• Preparing and setting up for the Haft-seen spread (more to come on the specifics of the Haft-seen in Part 2 of our Norooz series), specifically growing Sabzeh
• Gathering coins and crisp new bills to give to kids as ‘aidee’ (translation - new year gifts)

 

Sabzeh (one of the items on Haft-seen spread)

• Grass grown from lentils, mung beans, or wheat - symbolizing growth and life on the haft-seen table setting
• General steps for growing your own sabzeh include soaking the beans, sprouting, transferring to dish, covering with a cloth, spritzing with water.
• Recommend to follow growing instructions from author Naz Deravian (Bottom of the Pot) from Instagram. 
• Buying catnip grass or wheatgrass as a cheat or short cut

 

Chaharshanbeh Souri (or Suri) - translation, Red Wednesday, also known as the Festival of Light and Fire

• Celebrated on the eve of the last Wednesday of the Persian year (Tuesday night) 
• Ritual - take turns jumping over bonfires while chanting:“Sorkhieh toe az man, Zardieh man az toe” - translation:  “Your redness/health is mine, my paleness/pain is yours”, more casually translated ‘hey fire, give me your rosy health and take my sickly complexion!”  
• A playful night – a cleansing ceremony circulating feelings of happiness, health, and joy.
• Modern ‘cheats’ - carefully jump over candles instead of bonfires

 

Ajeel

• Persian trail mix - mixture of nuts and dried fruit
• Nuts: almonds, walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts
• Pumpkin seeds
• Dried fruit: toot (dried mulberries), dried figs, dried apricots, yellow raisins
• Dried chickpeas
• Can be customized to your personal preference 

Ask the Beats!

Question from one of our focus groups: How do you make a rich Persian dish healthier?

Cut down on fatty meats and deep frying by choosing lean meats and cutting down on butters and oils.  Bake or use an air fryer as an option.  Also try using a non-stick or teflon pan to cut down on oils for making tahdig (crispy bottom of the rice pot).

 

Resource links and recipes from this episode:

 

Naz Deravian http://bottomofthepot.com

Follow @bottomofthepot on Instagram and look out for Naz Davarian’s steps for growing your own sabzeh for the haft-seen table

 

Bita’s recipe for: Ajeel | Persian Trail Mix

Podcast production by Alvarez Audio