Category Archives: Persian/Iranian

Watermelon and Pomegranate to celebrate Persian Longest Night of the Year

Posted on December 19, 2012 by Anna Mindess

I am slicing up watermelon cubes to bring to a party — not the usual dish for a December celebration, but this is a special event, the Persian fête for the longest night of the year, called Yalda. Knowing my … Continue reading →

Posted in Persian/Iranian | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Food Speaks in Many Tongues – Edible Idioms in 17 Languages

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Anna Mindess

Porridge Head! Sweetie-Pie. Adaptable Tomato. Every language uses descriptive food phrases as insults, endearments, warnings and advice. Here is a smorgasbord of food metaphors and idioms in 17 languages including French, ASL, Danish, Chinese, German, Spanish, Turkish, Hebrew, Italian and Arabic Continue reading →

Posted in ASL, Chinese food, Denmark, Food Idioms, France, German Food, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Persian/Iranian, Politeness, Turkey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Persian New Year Greets Spring with Symbolic Traditions and Treats

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Anna Mindess

Persian New Year (Norooz or Nowruz) is a 3000 year old celebration, observed around the world on the first day of Spring. Its many traditions include a table of 7 foods that start with “S” in Farsi, and jumping over bonfires. Monier Attar of Zands Market is busily preparing everything her Persian patrons will need for the holiday, from a creamy pudding of sprouted wheat to flower-shaped chickpea flour cookies. Continue reading →

Posted in Middle Eastern Food, Persian/Iranian | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Jeannette Jafarzadeh’s Journey to Middle East Market

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Anna Mindess

The aromatic Persian bread baked by Ecuadorian-born Jeannette Jafarzadeh at Berkeley’s Middle East Market only hints at her two year detention in Iran. Continue reading →

Posted in Immigrants' stories, Middle Eastern Food, Persian/Iranian | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Halvah Heritage

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Anna Mindess

Halvah, or halva, is one of the world’s oldest sweets with variations in more than 30 countries. Two main types: made with semolina or sesame seeds. Continue reading →

Posted in Afghan Food, gluten-free food, Jewish Food, Lebanese food, Middle Eastern Food, Persian/Iranian, Turkey | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments