Persian Herb Quiche | Kookoo Sabzi (Kuku Sabzi)

This kookoo sabzi (kuku sabzi) is an aromatic quiche filled with six different herbs and greens. It’s a staple dish to celebrate the first day of Spring and the Persian New Year (Nowruz).

Every year, the approach of spring and Nowruz (Persian New Year) brings a smile to face. It not only reminds me that winter is almost over, but it also brings about all the beautiful traditions I love about this holiday.

The first day of Spring falls on March 20th, the spring equinox. And the first day on the Iranian calendar (Nowruz/Norouz/Noruz) falls on the the first day of spring. Along with the traditions of the sofreh haft sin and the fire jumps on Chahr-Shambeh Souri, there are certain foods we Persians eat to celebrate.

What is nowruz?

Nowruz is farsi for “new day.” It marks the first day of Farvardin, the first month of the Iranian solar calendar. This first day of the Persian new year also marks the first day of Spring. This holiday began with the Zorastrians over 3000 years ago in Ancient Persia and people of ALL religions celebrate nowruz.

This holiday is not only celebrated in Iran, but also Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Albania, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kurdistan and Georgia. You can learn more about how Persians celebrate nowruz here.

Foods you eat to celebrate nowruz

The main course is typically Sabzi Polo Mahi, herb rice with fish. Fish has long symbolized life and good luck and green is the color symbolizing fruitfulness.

Ash-e Reshteh is also served. Persian ash is always a hearty soup. And this ash is cooked with beans, fresh herbs and Persian noodles (reshteh), which is said to symbolically help one succeed in life.

Today I am going share my recipe for Kookoo sabzi. It is like a frittata, but with less eggs and mixed in with fresh herbs and green vegetables. It is believed that eating kookoo sabzi will bring prosperity and happiness in the year to come.

What is Persian kookoo or is it kuku?

There are many varieties of Persian kookoo. Kookoo (or kuku) is made with eggs. It is not as light and fluffy like a quiche, nor is there any other dairy mixed into it. Kookoo is similar to a frittata, but is made with fewer eggs.

The herbs take center stage in kookoo sabzi, not the eggs. Just enough eggs are used to bind it all together. I add a couple more eggs than many other traditional recipes for kookoo sabzi because of personal preference. Other kookoo recipes feature potatoes, onions and even string beans.

What herbs go into kookoo sabzi?

My version of kuku sabzi is made with only fresh herbs, although you can (and many Persians do) purchase dried herbs. I use 5 herbs to be exact: parsley, cilantro, dill and leeks. Where’s the fifth? Okay, that one is dried fenugreek. Fresh fenugreek is impossible for me to find, so I use dried fenugreek. Even dried, fenugreek is very aromatic!

I also like to add fresh spinach to my kookoo sabzi for a nutritional punch, but traditional kookoo sabzi is made with only herbs. Accented with a little saffron (I sell high quality Persian saffron here), chopped walnuts and dried zereshk (barberries) and you will really love all the flavors and aromas of this dish.

Do I bake my Persian kookoo or pan fry it?

My grandmother always made her kookoo in a pan on her stove. My mother-in-law still makes her kookoo this way, too. You press the kuku sabzi mixture into a greased pan and cook until the bottom is browned and set.

Then, like a quesadilla, you need to transfer the kookoo to a plate in order to flip it over and brown the other side. I’m a no fuss kinda cook and prefer baking my kookoo in a 9-inch pie dish in the oven. Whichever method you choose, you will create a wonderful dish!

What do I serve with my kuku sabzi?

For Nowruz, we serve kuku sabzi with the main meal. But, you can serve kuku as an appetizer, too. I like to enjoy a slice of kuku sabzi with my morning tea (this is my FAVORITE Persian tea) for breakfast. You can also make a sandwich with it and wrap it in some lavash (flat bread) with a bit of feta cheese and some radishes.

You can also serve kuku sabzi with plain yogurt or even mast o khiar (yogurt with cucumbers). Whether you are enjoying this dish to celebrate spring or just to enjoy the bounty of fresh herbs, there is no wrong way to enjoy kuku sabzi!

Spinach isn’t the only leafy green that I like to use to sneak in some nutrition in my dishes. I also have a this version of kookoo sabzi made with fresh herbs as well as Swiss chard and kale (pictured below). Click here for the my kookoo sabzi with Swiss chard recipe.

Want to learn more about Nowruz and the Persian New Year? I have put together a Nowruz ebook that has all the history, traditions and recipes of Nowruz, in a beautifully photographed ebook. And it’s only $1.99!

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Yield: serves 10

Persian Herb Quiche | Kookoo Sabzi (kuku sabzi)

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This kookoo sabzi is an aromatic quiche filled with six different herbs and greens. It's a staple dish to celebrate the first day of Spring and the Persian New Year (Nowruz).

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Additional Time 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/4 tsp crushed saffron
• 1 TBS hot water
• 1 small leek, rinsed and chopped
• 1 cup chopped parsley, (approximately 1 bunch)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped dill
• 1/2 cup chopped spinach
• 2 tsp dried fenugreek
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 TBS dried barberries (zereshk)*
• 1 TBS all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 2 TBS extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 8 large eggs

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF and adjust rack to upper-middle position.
2. In a small bowl combine saffron and hot water and let steep.
3. In a large bowl stir together vegetables and herbs with walnuts, barberries, flour, baking soda, olive oil, salt and pepper.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs with the saffron water.
5. Stir eggs into the vegetable mix.
6. Spray 9-inch ceramic pie dish with cooking spray.
7. Pour egg mixture into prepared pie dish.
8. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean.
9. Let it cool for 15 minutes prior to serving. Or cool completely and serve at room temperature.

Notes

Serving Suggestions: The key to this dish's flavor is to use only fresh herbs. Spinach is added in our version for more nutritional value.

Cooking Tips: *If you cannot find dried barberries (zereshk) substitute with dried cranberries or currants.

Recommended Products

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• 
  Premium Grade Persian Saffron
• 
  Granite Mortar and Pestle
• 
  9-inch Ceramic Pie Plate

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1 slice
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 115Total Fat: 8.8gSaturated Fat: 1.8gCholesterol: 149mgSodium: 361mgCarbohydrates: 3.8gFiber: 0.9gSugar: 0.8gProtein: 6.5g