Carrot Mixed Rice, Havij Polow, with Fried Chicken for Yalda Night

From the sunset in the last day of autumn (Dec 20^th) till sunrise in the first day of winter (Dec 21^st) we have practically the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. And from then on, very gradually, days get longer until we hit the summer solstice six months later

Iranians mark “the longest and darkest night of the year” as Yalda, and have special rituals for it as they often do with other major celestial moments, namely Norooz, Persian New year on Spring Equinox and Mehregan, Persian Thanksgiving Festival around Fall Equinox

Yalda means the birth of sun or “mehr”, pointing to the start of longer days ahead. Yalda which is alsocalled chelleh, was honored by ancient Persians whose livelihood centered around cultivation. It is said that in ancient times during Avesta, the birth of “mehr” marked the beginning of the new year

Yada is celebrated by Iranians as well as many people of Indo-Iranian origin in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkey with friends and family in form of a cozy “food- tale party” around a colorful table or spread or korsi topped with colorful fruits and sweets. Korsi, by the way, is an ancient Persian tradition whereby a source of heat usually charcoal burner is placed under a medium size table and the table itself is covered with a large quilt. Lots of big comfy pillows, many rounds of teas, and very cold weather are all essential parts of the korsi setting!  Back to Yalda, depending on the region and city, the items on the table as well as the activities around it vary. However, there are a few constants cross regionally: Watermelon, seeded pomegranate, and dried-fruit-seeds-nuts mix (ajil) are very common food items (in shiraz, dates halva is customary; also, while generally there is no specific main dish associated with Yalda festivity, in Northern province of Gillan white fish is served on Yalda night

As for what people do to spend the “longest and darkest night of the year” besides nibbling at the delicious foods and fruits and nuts: Again, regional, less known practices aside, people usually listen to an older, wiser, more literati member of the family recite poetry from our great many poets or they make a wish and ask him or her to seek the advice from the oracle of Shiraz by randomly selecting one of the poet’s first few lines – Fal-e Hafez. Or they simply pass the night telling tales, listening to music, dancing to it and definitely trying to have loads of fun, no matter what form it might take

I just loved the concept of Yalda and so cherish the hope and optimism embedded in it  I mean, the
beginning of the winter is supposed to be feeling very cold and depressing, isn’t it!? Yet, the occasion cheerfully holds a shiny piece of sun for you in the midst of the bleak winter; it literally makes you look at the light at the end of the tunnel. Owing to my Yalda tradition, I look forward to this time of the year and to this night knowing in my heart of hearts that although January and February and the brutal Montreal’s cold and miserable deep snow is still ahead, at least from now on each passing day will bring a bit more sun-ray, and a bit longer day

As mentioned above, there is not really a particular main menu item for Yalda night. Yet for this year’s Yalda round up with Persian Food Bloggers I felt introducing something  in color of fire and sun and warmth, orange and red that is 🙂 and also something a bit sweet. So I went with Persian carrot rice, havij polow,  with fried Chicken. For the list of other delicious foods for this occasion, please scroll down to the end of this post.  #PersianFoodBloggers #PFBShabehYalda

• Ingredient Serves 2-3
• (For rice mix (polow)
• 2 Cups Basmati Rice
• 3 medium stalks of carrots
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron powder dissolved in half cup of lukewarm water
• 1 tbsp. sliced pistachio
• 2 tbsp. and 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil 
• For Chicken
• 4-5 pieces Chicken breast and/or thighs
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
• Salt, black pepper, as needed.

More Yalda-related posts by Perain Food Bloggers

Family Spice Pomegranate Mulled Wine for my Shab-e Yalda

Persian Mama
Persian Mama Sholeh ZardPersian Saffron Rice Pudding