Ash Reshteh Norouz — Print Recipe

New Year Noodle Soup, or Ash-e Reshteh, embodies the vibrant spirit of Nowruz, Iran's ancient New Year celebration. This rich, velvety soup features delicate reshteh noodles swimming in a savory broth infused with turmeric and aromatic spices. The hearty combination of chickpeas, lentils, and kidney beans creates layers of texture while fresh herbs - parsley, cilantro, dill, and spinach - provide bright, earthy notes. Each bowl is crowned with creamy kashk, crispy fried mint, and sweet caramelized onions that add contrasting textures and deep flavor. The soup's golden hue reflects the hope for prosperity, while its seven ingredients symbolize the seven creations of Ahura Mazda. Traditionally served in wide, shallow bowls during Nowruz gatherings, it brings families together as they share this sacred meal, marking the rebirth of nature and the triumph of good over evil.

Ingredients

200g reshteh noodles (Persian flat noodles)
1 cup chickpeas, soaked
1 cup lentils
1/2 cup kidney beans, soaked
1 large bunch parsley, chopped
1 large bunch cilantro, chopped
1 bunch dill, chopped
1 bunch spinach, chopped
3 onions, diced
1/2 cup kashk (whey)
3 tbsp dried mint
1/4 cup oil
1 tsp turmeric
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1 Cook the soaked chickpeas and kidney beans in a large pot of water for about 45 minutes until almost tender, then add the lentils and continue cooking for 20 more minutes.
2 Add all the chopped fresh herbs and spinach to the pot and simmer for another 15 minutes until the greens are wilted and the soup is thick and rich.
3 Add the reshteh noodles to the soup and cook for 10 minutes until tender, stirring gently to prevent them from sticking together.
4 In a small pan, fry diced onions until caramelized and crispy, and in another pan, fry dried mint in oil until fragrant, then serve the soup topped with kashk, fried onions, and mint oil.

Did You Know?

The seven ingredients in Ash-e Reshteh are not merely symbolic - they were traditionally prepared by the eldest family member, who would place each ingredient into the soup while reciting prayers for the coming year, making the preparation itself a form of spiritual meditation that connects the family to their ancestral wisdom.