A Nowruz feast menu
Symbolic and vibrant dishes fit for this special celebration of spring
Being a celebration, the Nowruz feast involves a lot of food, with family and friends gathering around the table to enjoy dishes made with jade-green herbs, representative of new life and spring. A traditional Nowruz table includes fish, symbolic of life and fertility, and here I've created a menu with some modern interpretations, using a roasted sea bass, served alongside a cilantro and walnut relish; and a tangy, garlicky dish of velvety eggplant and chickpeas for those who may prefer a vegan or vegetarian main dish. In the spirit of conviviality, the meal is served and shared family-style. It is a taste of every dish for every palate, to celebrate the renewal of life.
Mahi — Sea Bass with Cilantro and Walnut Relish
Khorak Bademjoon — Eggplant Stew
Kuku Sabzi — Herb and Walnut Frittata
Sabzi Polow — Fragrant Herbed Rice
Shayma Owaise Saadat is a food writer and chef. She lives in Toronto with her husband and son. You can follow her culinary journey at www.shaymasaadat.com or on Instagram at @SpiceSpoon.
