Autumn and Winter Dishes; Warm Flavors for Cold Days
- Zohreh Khosravi
- 4 months ago
With the arrival of autumn and winter, it is the warm and delightful flavors of food and snacks that turn cold days and nights into pleasant and lasting memories. Seasonal dishes and desserts for the colder months of the year, which include hot soups, thick stews, and sweet, warm desserts, often have deep roots in the local cultures of people worldwide. In the past, when food was made from the natural ingredients of each season, it was more in harmony with the physical needs of humans during cold days. Since the ingredients came from nature, they were both simple and unpretentious, yet nutritious and energizing.
Food has always been an important part of the local culture of various communities; some cooking methods have been passed down through generations, while others were created based on the available resources in nature, gradually finding their place in the culinary traditions of nations.
Despite modern advancements, people from different countries still hold local food and drink festivals during the cold seasons to keep the history of their culinary traditions alive. Autumn and winter dishes have two main characteristics: first, they utilize the natural ingredients available during the season, and second, they possess a warm nature that helps boost physical strength and health during the cold days of the year. In this post of flysepehran blog, you will get acquainted with four special dishes for autumn and winter.
Reshteh Polo is one of the traditional Iranian dishes that many Iranian families prepare as a winter meal. This dish is a combination of rice with a special kind of noodles (reshteh), and it typically features crispy fried potatoes as a base. Garnishes often include fried onions and saffron. In some cities in Iran, Reshteh polo is served with meatballs, Red Raisins (Polawi), and dates, while in other regions, it is enjoyed with chicken. However, the common way to serve it, is with meatballs and traditional accompaniments.
Pumpkin soup is a nutrient-rich dish that finds its way into the menus of many families as the cold season begins. This delicious dish, in addition to its numerous health benefits, is quick and easy to prepare. The main ingredients of this soup include pumpkin, butter, onion, garlic, cinnamon powder, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Some people use vegetable broth, while others may prefer water and chopped parsley. In the end, all the ingredients are blended to achieve a smooth and appropriately thick soup.
Anar Bij stew is a local dish from northern Iran, particularly enjoyed during the autumn and winter seasons. The main ingredients of this stew include ground meat or chicken, walnuts, onion, garlic, aromatic herbs, pomegranate paste, pomegranate juice, and spices. In some northern cities, local herbs such as chuchaq (a local plant), and wild Thyme are used. An important aspect to note is the amount of herbs, which should not be excessive, as well as the stew’s sourness, which can be adjusted by changing the amount of pomegranate juice. For garnish, pomegranate seeds and fresh mint leaves are the best choices.
Kumpir is a simple and popular dish that has its roots in Turkish cuisine. Large potatoes are baked, and one side is hollowed out. They are then mixed with mozzarella cheese and butter, and various other ingredients can be added according to taste, such as ground meat or chicken, corn, mushrooms, olives, sausages, and various spices.
While Kumpir is a delicious snack that can be easily prepared at home, it is also recognized as a very popular street food during the cold winter days.
What is your favorite fall-winter food? In your hometown or the city where you live, what foods are mostly cooked in winter? Tell us about the most popular autumn-winter foods in your city! And if the autumn leaves and winter snow inspire you to choose a destination, buy your ticket and book your flight services here at flysepehran.
