Best Parsi Dishes To Try During Navroz

Parsi Dishes

Navroz or Nowruz is an important festival celebrated by the Parsi community. It is the day that marks the beginning of the new Iranian calendar and is also known as Parsi New Year.

On this auspicious occasion, Parsi families, apart from sending gifts and greetings to their loved ones, dress up in their traditional clothes and enjoy a get together with their families and friends. Like all the festivals, Navorz celebrations would be incomplete without a special meal.  To celebrate the Parsi New Year, the Parsis prepare an elaborate feast, which is known as the Navroz meal. 

On 16th August 2023, i.e., on Navroz, you must definitely try these delicious Parsi food to celebrate the spirit of the festival:

• Dhansak
• Patra ni Machhi
• Akoori
• Lagan nu Custard
• Parsi Sev
• Berry Pulao
• Sali Boti
• Chicken Farcha
• Sali Par Eedu
• Parsi Mawa Cake

Also Read: All You Need to Know About the Parsi Worship Places in India

• Dhansak 

A popular Parsi dish, Dhansak is made by cooking goat meat with lentils and an assortment of vegetables. If you eat non-vegetarian food, it is one of those Parsi dishes that everyone must try. A single morsel of the dish will leave you smiling from ear to ear. You can have it with chapati or naan, but Parsis like to have Dhansak with caramelised rice, which is topped with fried onions. 

• Patra ni Machhi 

No Parsi celebration is complete without this popular Parsi food. Machhi means Fish, and Patra is leaves, and hence the dish gets its name because the fish is wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. The banana leaf adds another layer of aroma and flavour to the fish, perfectly complementing the use of spices.  

Typically, the dish is served with a side of rice. All Parsi families have their secret Patra ni Machhi recipe, which is passed from generation to generation. The taste may differ based on the type of fish and the spices used. But they are all delectable and worth tasting. 

• Akoori 

Akoori is the Parsi community’s version of scrambled eggs, and it is usually eaten for breakfast, but you can have it anytime of the day, and it is sure to make your tummy and heart full. Made with eggs, tomatoes, onions, cumin seeds, ginger, garlic and fennel seeds, the dish is served with bread toast. But, if you are having it for lunch, you can also eat it with roti or chapati as it tastes heavenly.  

• Lagan nu Custard 

Parsi New Year celebration calls for a sweet, and most families make Lagan nu Custard, one of the best Parsi cuisine dishes. It is made with condensed milk, sugar, eggs, custard powder and a pinch of nutmeg. The spice adds an earthy flavour and cuts the sweet. It is a must-try delicacy during Parsi new year. 

• Parsi Sev 

Another delicious dessert in the list, Parsi Sev is usually made on special or festive occasions like Navroz. It is an easy-to-make sweet dish featuring Sevaiyyan or vermicelli as the main ingredient. It is made by roasting vermicelli and nuts in pure desi ghee, which is then added to sugar syrup that is flavoured with spices like saffron, nutmeg and cardamom. It has a unique aroma and the taste so rich that you can’t stop yourself from going for a second serve.

Also Read: Dishes to Relish on Parsi New Year in August

• Berry Pulao

Berry Pulao is a delectable Parsi dish that combines the sweetness of berries with fragrant rice and aromatic spices. This rice preparation typically includes Basmati rice cooked with caramelized onions, tender meat, and a medley of spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. The dish is elevated with the addition of dried cranberries or barberries, which impart a tangy and slightly sweet taste. 

• Sali Boti

Sali Boti is a traditional Parsi dish that holds a special place in Parsi cuisine. This delicacy consists of tender chunks of meat, typically mutton, cooked in a tangy and aromatic gravy. The meat is marinated with a blend of spices, including ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric, and garam masala. The addition of yogurt and tomato paste lends a rich and creamy texture to the dish.

What sets Sali Boti apart are the crispy potato straws, or sali. These thinly sliced and deep-fried potato straws are generously sprinkled over the meat curry just before serving.

• Chicken Farcha

Chicken Farcha, one of the best Parsi dishes, is made by marinating chicken drumsticks or boneless chicken with a blend of aromatic spices, including garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, and red chili powder. The marinated chicken is then coated in a batter made from eggs, flour, and breadcrumbs before being fried to golden perfection. Chicken Farcha is enjoyed as a snack or as part of a Parsi meal, often served with mint chutney or spicy tomato ketchup.

• Sali Par Eedu

Sali Par Eedu is a popular Parsi dish that features a delightful combination of eggs and crispy potato straws (sali). The eggs are typically cooked sunny-side-up or as an omelette and topped with a generous serving of crispy potato straws. It is a simple yet flavourful dish enjoyed for breakfast or as a light meal.

• Parsi Mawa Cake

Mawa Cake is a popular Parsi tea-time treat. It is a dense and moist cake made with mawa (reduced milk solids), flour, butter, sugar, and flavoured with cardamom and rose water. The cake has a distinctive taste and aroma that is loved by many.

Also Read: Festivals and Events in India in August 2021

Relish Delicious Delicacies at Club Mahindra Resorts’ Restaurants 

Club Mahindra resorts are known for providing a delightful vacation experience, including a variety of dining options to cater to different tastes.

At Club Mahindra resorts, our expert chefs strive to create a memorable dining experience. They curate menus that showcase local and regional cuisines for one to explore the flavours and specialties of the destination. In addition to Parsi cuisine, you can expect to find a diverse range of dishes, including Indian, Continental, Asian, and more, to have a true gastronomic experience.