Haft Mewa for Afghan New Year (Nowruz)

Haft Mewa is one of the elements of Nowruz ceremony in Afghanistan. Nowruz is a traditional celebration of the new year in countries like Afghanistan, Iran, and Tajikistan. You can find a festival of foods for Nowruz on Celebrate Persian New Year With Nowruz Foods. Haft Mewa means seven fruits, and it consists of fruits and nuts. This delicious dessert is very nutritious, and it is sweet and crunchy. The ingredients of Haft Mewa are mostly walnut, almond, pistachio, apricot, raisins, and Senjed (dried Russian / Persian olive) with water.

Haft Mewa ingredients

Haft Mewa, as it shows, has seven fruits and nuts, and it contains shelled walnut, shelled pistachio, shelled almond (or you can use blanched slivered almond), golden and black raisins, dried apricot (use sweet ones), and Senjed (or called oleaster fruit or Russian/Persian olive). Wow, it is full of nutrition!

Haft Mewa recipe

For making Haft Mewa, first, we need shelled nuts. You can find them in shops or make them by yourself. First, let the water boil. Then pour the boiled water into a bowl and add walnuts, almonds, and pistachios in it to soak. After 30 minutes, you can easily peel the nuts with your hand. Wash and rinse apricots, golden raisins, black raisins, and Senjed in cold water. Cut the nuts and fruits into the pieces you prefer. Then put them in a bowl that has a lid. Pour cold water and little rose water (optional) on them. It should be 1 inch above nuts and fruits. Stir and let them rest in the refrigerator for 24 hours. The longer it lasts, the sweeter it becomes. Serve the fruits and nuts with its water.

Note: You can also add vanilla to the water before putting them in the fridge.

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