Sabzi Polo ba Mahi

Sabzi polo ba mahi — herb rice with fish — is the traditional meal of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, when families gather to celebrate spring. The rice is layered with a generous amount of fresh herbs, dill, parsley, chives, and cilantro, and served alongside fish that has been fried or grilled simply, often with a saffron and lime finish. The green-flecked rice is as beautiful as it is fragrant. The herbs are the star — Iranians measure them in armfuls, not cups — and the rice should be dotted green through and through.

Green-flecked rice with crisp-skinned fish

Each grain of rice carries the fresh, grassy perfume of the herbs, while the fish is crisp-skinned and delicate. The pairing is light and springlike, exactly right for a holiday that celebrates renewal. Leftover rice makes a wonderful breakfast fried with a little butter and a soft egg. If you cannot find whole fish, fillets with the skin on work beautifully and turn extra crisp in the pan.

Craving more? Explore all Persian / Iranian Kitchen recipes.

Persian / Iranian recipes →