Nowruz, is the name of the new year in Farsi, and it has been celebrated for over 3,000 years in the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and Western Asia. Nowruz begins on the first day of spring, which is usually March 21.

Traditionally, the whole family gathers together to have dinner, celebrate the new year, and welcome the beautiful spring with the aroma and delicious taste of these foods, which holds a special place in our hearts and souls. The new year’s dinner varies from country to country, but in Iran, they make rice with herbs, savory herbs tart, and fish for this special night.

Flourless Herb Tart

Ingredients:

• 1 cup finely chopped dill
• 3 cups finely chopped parsley
• 3 cups finely chopped cilantro
• 3 cups finely chopped spring onion
• 5 cloves finely chopped garlic
• 6 eggs
• 2 tablespoons of ground walnut or almond flour
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Sauté mixed herbs and half of the oil for five minutes.
3. Let it cool, mix the eggs, salt, pepper, baking soda and walnut or almond flour; add it to cooled sautéd herbs.
4. Pour remaining oil in pie dish, add herbs and bake it for 40 to 45 minutes.

Potatoes with Herbed Rice

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups of rice
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped dill
• 1 cup finely chopped spring onion
• 1 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1 cup finely chopped cilantro
• 4 cloves finely chopped garlic
• 1 big Russet potato
• 1 full tablespoon of sea or kosher salt

Directions:

1. In a big pot bring 10 cups of water to boil.
2. Add rice and salt to boiling water, whisk ingredients a couple times.
3. When it is al dente, add all the herbs, and mix it in with rice.Then, drain it right away.
4. On the bottom of the pot, pour 1/4 cup of water, ¼ cup of oil and arrange sliced potato. Then put the mixed herbs and rice over it. Pour ¼ cup of oil on the mixture and turn up to high heat for one to two minutes.
5. Then put heat on low for 30 to 40 minutes or until rice is cooked and potatoes are golden.

Turmeric Fried Fish

Ingredients:

• 1 white fish (sea bass)
• ½ cup of flour
• 1 tsp turmeric
• Salt and pepper
• ¼ cup of olive oil

Directions:

1. Wash and dry the fish.
2. Mix flour, turmeric, salt and pepper, dust fish with seasoned flour and fry it in oil.

Written by  Banovan, a Farsi digital blog