• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Unicorns in the Kitchen

Easy family approved recipes from our Kitchen to yours. Persian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes made easy with fresh ingredients and step-by-step instructions.

  • Recipe Index
  • Mediterranean Recipes
  • The Mediterranean Weeknight Dinners eCookbook
  • About
    • Work with Us
    • Contact
  • Recipe Index
  • Mediterranean Recipes
  • The Mediterranean Weeknight Dinners eCookbook
  • About
    • Work with Us
    • Contact
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Mediterranean Recipes
  • The Mediterranean Weeknight Dinners eCookbook
  • About
    • Work with Us
    • Contact
  • ×

    Home » Persian Recipes

    Everything You Need to Know About Nowruz

    Published: Mar 13, 2019 · Modified: Mar 11, 2023 by Shadi HasanzadeNemati · This post may contain affiliate links .

    39 shares
    • 7

    Everything you need to know about Nowruz and its beautiful history. Learn more about this Persian tradition that spans all the other holidays for many people around the world. 

    It's time for me to tell you about Nowruz and all the amazing things about it including delicious food and sweets. In this post you're going to learn everything about Persian New Year and the traditions that come with it. 

    For Persian new year we set a table called haftseen. there are sweets, garlic and fruit on the table.
    Table Of Contents:
    • What is Nowruz?
    • Origins of Nowruz
    • Where is Nowruz celebrated
    • How do Persians celebrate Nowruz? 
    • What is Haftseen?
    • What do Iranians eat for the new year? 

    What is Nowruz?

    Nowruz (pronounced No-Rooz) is a Persian word literally meaning "New Day". It's a celebration for the new year that starts with the first day of spring. You could call it a traditional festival of spring. Many people around the world start their year on Nowruz which is the first day of spring. Norooz is the celebration of winter ending and spring starting. 

    Nowruz marks the vernal equinox which is the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. It happens on March 21st or the previous/following day depending on where you live. 

    Origins of Nowruz

    Nowruz has been celebrate for over 3000 years in Iran and other countries. Its origin is from Zoroastrianism, a Persian ancient religion that dates back about 3000 years ago. Since many countries where part of the ancient Persian empire then, Nowruz is now celebrated by millions of non-Iranians around the world as well. 

    Read more about the origins of Nowruz. 

    Where is Nowruz celebrated

    Nowruz is celebrated in many countries in central Asia, western Asia, the Black Sea region and the Balkans. Countries like Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan celebrate this day alongside Iran and each have their own beautiful traditions and dishes that they serve during the festivities. 

    Persian new year starts on the first day of spring.

    How do Persians celebrate Nowruz? 

    Preparing for Persian New Year celebration starts a few weeks before March 21st. It starts with a massive spring cleaning in each house called Khaneh-Tekani which literally means Shaking the house. It's a chance for everyone to deep clean their homed in spirits of welcoming spring. It includes de-cluttering, washing carpets, painting walls if needed and so much more. This deep cleaning will make everything feel new and ready for a new start. 

    Buying new clothing for family members and kids is another part of preparation. Kids always look forward to Nowruz because it means they're getting new clothing that they can show off in Eid-Didani, the act of visiting friends and relatives during Nowruz for the new year. 

    Iranian buy lots of nuts (Ajil) and sweets (Shirini) in the last days before Nowruz to serve their guests. Ajil usually contains almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, walnuts, raisins, roasted chickpeas, peanut and cashews which are either raw or roasted. Each Iranian has their own favorite Ajil store that they buy their New Year ajil from year after year. 

    The last but certainly not least of the rituals is Char Shanbe Suri which happens in the evening of the last Tuesday of the year where people set up small bonfires around the city in public streets or private properties and jump over it. This is an old tradition which believed that the flames of fire will take away all the bad spirits and energy. 

    What is Haftseen?

    Hafseen, meaning The Seven S's is a set of items that every Iranian set in their homes as a Nowruz ritual. Each of these seven items has a meaning related to spring and starting a new year. Some of the most common items for Haftseen are: 

    1. Sabzeh (Sprouted wheat grass): Symbolizes re-birth and greenery
    2. Serkeh (Vinegar): Symbol of aging and wisdom
    3. Senjed (Dried fruit of a lotus tree): Symbolizes love
    4. Samanoo (Sweet wheat pudding): Represents affluence
    5. Seeb (Apple): Symbol of health and fertility
    6. Somagh (Sumac): Symbolizes the color or sunrise
    7. Seer (Garlic): Symbolizes medicine
    Families gather and set a table for nowruz.

    There are two additional "Seens" that you can commonly find in haftseen: 

    • Sekkeh (Coins): For wealth
    • Sonbol (Hyacinth): A flower special to spring

    What do Iranians eat for the new year? 

    Food is an important part of Nowruz for Iranians and we make different dishes and sweets to celebrate the beginning of spring. Here are some of my favorite Nowruz recipes:

    • Sabzi Polo (Persian Herbed rice) made with fresh herbs and a delicious lettuce tahdig. 
    Sabzi Polo (Persian Herbed rice) made with fresh herbs and a delicious lettuce tahdig. 
    • Mahi Shekam Por (Fish stuffed with pomegranates and walnuts) This dish is so flavorful and goes perfectly with the herbed rice. 
    Stuffed fish a new way of serving fish that is very tasty! The filling includes pomegranates and walnuts!
    • Kuku Sabzi (Persian herb frittata) made with fresh herbs which represents life and growth. 
    Kuku Sabzi (Persian herb frittata) made with fresh herbs which represents life and growth. 
    • Ash Reshteh (Persian noodle soup) made using fresh herbs and legumes. 
    Ash Reshteh (Persian noodle soup) made using fresh herbs and legumes. 
    • Qottab (Persian walnut filled pastry) these are traditional Persian pastries that are sweet and flaky, filled with a combination of walnuts, sugar and cardamom.
    Qottab (Persian walnut filled pastry) these are traditional Persian pastries that are sweet and flaky, filled with a combination of walnuts, sugar and cardamom.
    • Shirini Keshmeshi (Persian raisin cookies) I love these, they're easy and for us Iranians they're what chocolate chip cookies are for Americans. 
    Shirini Keshmeshi (Persian raisin cookies) I love these, they're easy and for us Iranians they're what chocolate chip cookies are for Americans. 
    • Shirini Nargili: These Persian coconut cookies are a must. They are chewy and easy to make with no chilling time needed!
    overhead shot of shirini nargili.
    • Pofaki Gerdooyi (Persian walnut cookies): An all time favorite, these are gluten-free and ready in 30 minutes. The texture is very unique since the cookies are crispy on the outside and hollow on the inside!
    Pofaki gerdooyi Persian walnut cookies on a plate.
    • Nan Panjereh (Persian Rosettes): These have been in my family for a few generations, my grandma used to make them for Nowruz and then my mom and now me. 
    Nan Panjereh - Persian Rosettes is a traditional Persian cookie that is crisp and light. It's made of basic ingredients and once you find the technique, it is easy and fun to make!

    May Nowruz bring so much happiness to you and your loved ones, Nowruz Mobarak! 

    « Colcannon Potatoes (Irish Mashed Potatoes)
    Caprese Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe »
    39 shares
    • 7

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to Unicorns in the Kitchen, where we share delicious recipes from our kitchen to yours. You’re in for a delicious adventure and collection of unique and tasty recipes.

    Read more...

    Readers Favorites!

    • Turkish Bulgur Pilaf Recipe
    • Easy Lavash Bread Recipe
    • Kashke Bademjan (Persian Eggplant Dip)
    • Greek Eggplant Moussaka Recipe

    Latest Recipes

    • Our best chickpea recipes.
      Our Best Chickpea Recipes
    • Harissa is a classic Tunisian paste that's very spicy.
      Homemade Harissa Recipe
    • summer berry crisp in a skillet.
      Summer Berry Crisp Recipe
    • Pasta recipes
      Our Best Pasta Recipes

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • About US

    All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or recipes without prior permission. Read about privacy policy and copyright Here. Our site contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting.

    Copyright 2019, All rights reserved.
    Read about privacy policy and copyright Here.