Episode

Yalda

Bita Arabian & Beata Nazem Kelley –
2023-10-11
|
1 Followers

In this heartfelt episode, co-hosts Bita and Bita share 3 ways to celebrate the Persian Winter Festival this year, Shabe Yalda, including 1. How to set it up (the sofreh or special table setting), 2. What to do (traditions and our modern takes), and of course, 3. what to eat (tra Read more…In this heartfelt episode, co-hosts Bita and Bita share 3 ways to celebrate the Persian Winter Festival this year, Shabe Yalda, including 1. How to set it up (the sofreh or special table setting), 2. What to do (traditions and our modern takes), and of course, 3. what to eat (traditionally and what they plan to eat)! Before jumping into the 3 ways to celebrate ShabeYalda, what exactly is it and when is it celebrated? What is Yalda?: A winter solstice festival, falling on the longest/darkest night of the year, the turning of the seasons from fall to winter When is it?: Typically falls on either Dec 20th and 21st - this year the winter solstice is the morning of the 21st where we are in western hemisphere Ok, now let’s get into how to celebrate this very historical and symbolic occasion, the Persian winter solstice festival! How does one celebrate Yalda?: A family gathering to set a spread or special table setting, to gather with family, eat a delicious meal, drink (mostly tea!), read and recite poetry, and stay up late! Stay up ward off evil and to welcome light and love in the days following and leading up to the next season, spring! A song! Leila Fourohar, famous Iranian pop and classical singer. The title of the song is: Madar Bozorgh (which means Grandmother) In the song Leila sings about Yalda….spend time with elders, stay up late telling stories, learning life lessons …. The set up: The Yalda setup includes a sofreh or special table setting - red, candles (some slight cross over with Christmas in terms of color and light); winter fruits (pomegranate, apples, persimmons, and watermelon), and nuts/Persian ajeel, a book of poetry (often Hafez or Rumi) Some possible symbolic meanings behind the sofreh - ward off evil of the longest darkest night, bring in love and light Side notes about the book of Hafez and “fall eh hafez”...a sort of fortune telling, interpreting the opening of the book specific poem and interpreting the meaning as a prediction of the future Ideas of sharing Ajeel, Persian trail mix as holiday gifts Watermelon crafts and cookies as a modern theme to shabeh Yalda What to do: Gather with family, listen to music, read poetry What to eat: Traditional dishes include aash, mahi polo, and bademjan/bademjoon, also fesenjoon! Modern ideas of what to cook on this night include Persian meatball Koofteh, quick and easy fesenjoon meatballs Drinking tea! Poetry readings: Bita reads a Persian poem by Hafez Recording of Beata’s dad reciting a poem called the The Symbols of Love by Salak (Mojtaba Kashani) Beata translats parts of the poem her father read References to the following two previous MPF podcast episodes include the following: Episode 62 Persian Christmas Traditions Yalda Winter Flavors episode reference Episode 16: Khoresh Fesenjoon | Persian Pomegranate and Walnut Stew All Modern Persian Food episodes can be found at: Episodes Co-host Beata Nazem Kelley blog: BeatsEats – Persian Girl Desperately Addicted to Food! Co-host Bita Arabian blog: Oven Hug - Healthy Persian Recipes | Modern Persian Recipes Bita’s post Ajeel Persian Trail Mix Bita’s recipe for Fesenjan Persian Pomegranate Chicken Beata’s recipe for Walnut and Pomegranate Stew – Khoreshteh Fessenjoon Podcast production by Alvarez Audio Close

Host: Bita Arabian & Beata Nazem Kelley

Season: Modern Persian Food

Plays: 214

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Bita Arabian & Beata Nazem Kelley

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Podcast co-hosts and food bloggers Bita Arabian and Beata Nazem Kelley share the rich flavors and fresh ingredients of Persian Cooking and how to incorporate them into today's modern lifestyles. The duo introduces the flavors, tastes, and techniques they use, and also their cultural stories and perspective growing up in the US in Persian families.

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Yalda

Bita Arabian & Beata Nazem Kelley –
2023-10-11
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1 Followers

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Yalda

Bita Arabian & Beata Nazem Kelley – 2023-10-11 | 1 Followers

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Bita Arabian & Beata Nazem Kelley –
2023-10-11
|
1 Followers