The food of each country is part of that country’s individualities and is known as one of the factors introducing its culture. Some of them are so interesting and noticeable that can even be considered as one of the attractions in the world today.
The Iranian food culture is of great diversity, and at every point a new taste can be discovered and enjoyed.
Pontia Fallahi, the Iranian-American woman, has a different look at this culture, and in an article introduces ten Iranian desserts that could be a different experience for those who travel to this land.
According to a Farsi report by Karnaval.ir, Pontia was born and lived in America and has the experience of living in three other countries. In her article, she has described ten local desserts that everyone should try them.
She says Chelow kabab [the national dish of Iran, consisting of cooked rice and one of the many varieties of Iranian kebab] is one of the most well-known Iranian cuisines and almost everyone knows it, but does anyone pay attention to desserts in this country?
“Iranians have a friendly culture and use every opportunity to get together and drink tea. The interest in the tea has made the Iranians attracted to sweet tastes. These tastes are a different experience that few people pay attention to. They have three inseparable elements: saffron, rose water and cardamom.
Best and popular Iranian Desserts
Here, we will introduce you to a number of famous Iranian desserts.
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Zulbia & Bamiyeh; One of the Iranian desserts for Ramadan
Zulbia is the name of a sweet that is poured into oil by a funnel and deep-fried in pretzel or circular shapes. Then, it is soaked in rosewater and saffron syrup to get a different taste.
Bamiyeh is also the name of another sweet that is usually served together with Zulbia and is very similar to Chorru (a Spanish fried-dough pastry). Bamiyeh is also dipped in sugar syrup.
These two sweets have many fans in the holy month of Ramadan because after a day of fasting, it provides the body with the sugar it needs.
How to cook jalebi at home:
Jalebi and sweet okra (Zoolbia and Bamia) are among the most consumed and popular sweets on the table during the holy month of Ramadan. If you prepare and consume jalebi and okra fresh at home, they will certainly be healthier and more cost-effective.
Tips to make homemade jalebi:
1-Pour a glass of starch into a bowl and add a glass of yogurt.
2-Add a spoonful of flour along with baking powder to the yeast and mix it thoroughly with a spoon until all the ingredients are uniform.
3-Add brewed thick saffron to the ingredients and mix. 4-Pour some oil in a frying pan on medium heat until it is completely hot. 5-Pour the ingredients into the pan as well in a circular and round shape. 6-Then Take the jalebis and okras out of the container and put them in syrup.
2. Ranginak Traditional Persian Desserts of southern Iran
South of Iran and the Persian Gulf islands display a kind of different culture in Iran that is even touchable in their cuisine.
In these regions of Iran, people fill in soft dates with walnuts, then put them in a blend of fried flour, saffron, cardamom, and cinnamon to make a delicious dessert called Ranginak. This delicious dessert can make everyone crazy with its appearance, and its taste can put a spell on you.
3. Faloodeh Shirazi;The most famous Iranian dessert in Shiraz
With the first look at Faloodeh, you may ask yourself:
- Who would eat noodles as desserts?
But if you taste these noodles that are dipped in the rosewater syrup, for sure you will not trust your eyes when choosing something to eat.
There are many choices ahead; you can have this dessert with lemon juice or enjoy it with sour cherries and other syrups.
Faloodeh is the best choice in the hot summer days and you can find the best ones in the city of Shiraz.
4. Akbar Mashti Ice Cream or Traditional Ice Cream
In the 1950s, a person named Akbar Mashhadi introduced a delicious ice cream that has become the most famous ice cream in Iran today.
Saffron Ice Cream is also known as the traditional ice cream and has many fans. The combination of vanilla ice cream, saffron with rose water and pistachios can be an exciting experience for you, but not as much as when frozen cream pieces surprise you and make you feel good.
This ice cream is served both in a cup and in a special Iranian form of ice cream sandwiches.
5. Shole Zard; Persian saffron rice pudding
Now it’s time to introduce the special Iranian pudding which is made with rice. The high-quality Iranian saffron also gives it an excellent yellow colour and aroma. Cinnamon is also an ingredient, but is used exclusively for dressing.
In the religious ceremonies and during the holy month of Ramadan (Wikipedia), Shole-Zard is served among Muslim communities free of charge.
6. Yazdi Sweets
Yazd in central Iran is one of the cities that are famous for delicious sweets. In this city you can try different types of Baklava including the Greek and Turkish ones.
You can also taste Qottab [almond-filled deep-fried Iranian cuisine pastry] Loz-e Nargil {Iranian coconut sweets with rosewater] and cotton candy. Of course, never miss a cup of hot tea next to these delicious sweets.
Read more:
- Historical City of Yazd Inscribed as World Heritage Site
- Yazdi Coffee; Delicate Drink Indigenous to Central Iran
7. Koloocheh
Koloocheh is a delicious cookie with different flavours such as cinnamon, walnut, cocoa, etc. Different regions of Iran have Koloochehs with different shapes.
Koloocheh can be served in the afternoon along with your tea, or during your breakfast.
8. Sohan; famous traditional Iranian sweet
The ingredients of this brittle toffee are saffron, eggs, rosewater, sugar, butter, and cardamom. Its colour and the pistachio on top of it can make you crazy! Every time you have Sohan, you will need to brush your teeth.
Some points about sohan (confectionary)
Sohan is made and sold in different forms and types such as:
Honey Sohan, Sesame Sohan, Halvai Sohan, Badami Sohan, Gezi Sohan, Morsel Sohan, Circular Sohan, Pashmaki Sohan, Sohan Dessert, and so on.
Qom’s Sohan is the most famous Sohan in Iran. In fact, the most diverse types of Sohan are produced in Qom.
In other cities like Zarand, Kerman and Isfahan, Sohan is also produced. Isfahan’s Sohan is called Honey Sohan. Zarand’s Sohan, which is also registered nationally, is much crispier and much thinner than Qom’s Sohan.
Zarand’s Sohan contains much less oil than Qom’s Sohan. This makes it more durable. This sweet used to be produced mostly in a traditional way and by hand. Now it is made using special machinery and molds.
9. Gaz
Isfahan province in central Iran is the origin of this delicious candy. Sap of Angabin (a plant), rosewater, and egg whites are the main ingredients of Gaz while almonds and pistachios could be added to it as well.
10. Halva; Delicious Iranian dessert
Iran’s halva (Read more) is different from its other forms in the Middle East. To prepare it, the Iranians slowly sauté wheat flour in oil or butter and then add sugar, rosewater and saffron to it.
Almonds and pistachios are used to make it pleased to the eye. This dessert has a special place in traditional religious ceremonies.
