Happy Nowruz! 3/18

On today's show we explore the Persian new year holiday, Nowruz, like we always do on Fridays, through the food! During the show we learn about some fantastic Nowruz dishes from the high priestess of Persian cuisine, Najmieh Batmanglij (pronounced NAJ-meeah baht-MAHN-glijsh), but there's more to this spring equinox celebration than the food!

Below is a particularly beautiful Haft-Seen table, put together by Ms. Afzal Abrisham, a Madison resident and annual Chaharshanbe Suri hostess, the feast held prior to Nowruz in the last week of the old year. The traditional Haft-Seen table displays seven items all beginning with the Persian "S". Each item carries its own symbolism with regard to the New Year.

1. Sabzeh : Wheat, barley, mung bean or lentil sprouts growing in a dish, symbolizing rebirth
   
2. Samanu: Sweet pudding made from wheat germ, symbolizing prosperity
3. Senjed: Dried oleaster fruit, symbolizing love
4. Sir : Garlic, symbolizing medicine
5. Sib: Apples, symbolizing beauty and health
6. Somāq: Sumac berries, symbolizing sunrise
7. Serkeh: Vinegar, symbolizing old-age or patience