Sabzi Polo Ba Mahi

Muslim new year - Nowruz

Nowruz is on March 21 and it means “new day”, which is the Iranian New Year. The celebration

starts at the spring equinox. During this time the message of rebirth is celebrated. People would

say “Zardi ye man az to, sorkhi ye to az man” which means take away my illness and give me

your health. They would also give money gifts to kids. (Eidi) The celebration continues for another

12 days. During this holiday, they will eat a special food called sabzi polo ba mahi and Kulcha-e

Nowrozi.

Food - sabzi polo ba mahi

It is an Iranian dish. In the southern part of Asia, the countries normally share the origin of food. So

like we all have abased culture if you simplify it. This is a dish which is a must during the new years.

The direct translation would become vegetable rice with fish. I tasted it before in India, it was horrible

for me due to my hate for fish.

To be brief, this dish is basically rice with fried fish. For the price, you have to first rinse Basmati rice

(an Indian rice kind that is longer and thinner) and add in herbs. Secondly, you put tahdig( bottom of

the pot like Lavash which is flatbread) under the pot, and add rice and saffron powder over it ( dried stigmas of saffron

crocus flower). Finally, you cover the lid and cook it until the steam rises. For the fish it is rather simple,

you just have to fry it while adding some salt and black pepper. Lastly, you put the dish together side to

side then you’re done.

Reference :

Afghanistan