Rite of Spring
Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 1:01AM 
Nowruz, or Persian New Year, is a celebration of spring and has taken place on the last Tuesday of every winter for centuries. Nowruz means “new day” and is symbolic of rebirth and renewal.
Last week we celebrated Nowruz at the home of our dear friends, the Zomorodis. Our gracious host, Minou, was there to welcome family and friends to the year’s most extravagant party. The festivities were in full swing by 7 o’clock and went late into the night with a very elegant spread of delicious food, Persian music, dancing and gold coins for the children.
The buffet tables, our favorite part, were overflowing with the bounty of spring. Traditional Nowruz foods, such as Sabzi Polo Mahi, fish served with special rice mixed with loads of fresh herbs, were piled abundantly on long silver platters. This rice is the perfect dish to capture the spirit of such a very special occasion. It represents the greenness of nature at spring.