Rasht’s food

The variety of food in this city made it registered as a creative city of food in UNESCO in 1994.

Food is very important for the people of Gilan. Its importance can be seen in the food diversity of this province, especially in its center, the city of Rasht. The reason for the formation of all these different and colorful foods can be attributed to the climate and weather of this region. This city has gifted with a variety of flora and fauna. This diversity has an impact on the formation of the food culture of the people. The existence of different plants, chickens and marine animal leaves make people to create diverse dishes.

Various delicious seasonings such as pomegranate paste, garlic, and olive oil should not be overlooked. These are a staple of most Gilaki dishes and in a way put a label of authenticity on the foods of this region. Garlic, eggplant and tomato are among the most used ingredients for preparing food. Gilan rice is famous all over the world. It takes the place of bread on people’s tables most of the time.

In the following list, we introduce you the best and most famous dishes of Rasht.

Baghala Ghatogh

Baghala Ghatogh is one of the delicious northern dishes that the people of Gilan are skilled in cooking. A delicious and hearty stew that is cooked with the least and simplest ingredients and is very hearty and filling. It seems that eating foods like Baghala Ghatogh in Ramadan will keep you full and full of energy for more hours due to the high amount of fiber and protein.

The main ingredients of this dish are Rashti Baghla or Rashti beans, dill and soft-boiled eggs. It is spiced with salt, pepper and turmeric. It is usually eaten with rice, fresh garlic and fish. In north of Iran rice is mostly prepared in kateh form. Kateh is considered the simplest Iranian rice.

Mirza Ghasemi

Mirza Ghasemi is a delicious food that you may have tasted many times. It is Persian eggplant dip and is a proper choice for vegetarian. It is served as both appetizer and main course.

It is interesting to know that the inventor of this food was a person named Mohammad Qasim Khan Vali. He was the ambassador of Iran to Russia and the ruler of Gilan during the reign of Naser al-Din Shah. He was very interested in cooking, and after his return from St. Petersburg to Iran, he made this popular dish in Rasht and named it Mirza Ghasemi. This delicious food is a combination of grilled eggplant, plenty of garlic, paste, fresh tomatoes and eggs and is served with both rice and bread.

Shami

Rashti Shami, or Gilani Shami, is one of the delicious wedding dishes. Some people of Gilan put this delicious Shami on the wedding table. It is served along with bread, vegetables and cheese as a blessing for the life of the bride and groom. People of Rasht eat this delicious dinner with Lavash or Barbari bread and Siamzagi cheese. This cheese is the traditional cheese of this region. Other people of Gilan consider Liqvan cheese and eating vegetables to be part of Gilan’s Shami etiquette.

Kabab Torsh

Kabab Torsh is a Sour kebab. It is a type of kebab that is cooked in the northern regions of Iran, especially in Gilan province. In this type of kebab, pieces of veal meat are mixed with chopped onions, sour pomegranate juice, a small amount of sour pomegranate paste, grated walnuts. In this kebab local aromatic vegetables of Gilan (parsley), black pepper and salt are used as well. The meat is grilled on charcoal with gentle heat. This type of kebab is very delicious and tasty.

This food is one of the most popular kebabs among the people of Gilan and Mazandaran, and it can be prepared with both veal and sheep meat. To prepare this food, onions, garlic, pomegranate paste and chopped walnuts are added to the meat. Pomegranate juice is also used to make the food sour. Seasoned meat is served with a mold after grilling. Kabab Torsh or Sour Kebab is served with rice.

Alomosama

It is a kind of plum stew and is one of the famous stews of Gilan province. It is also known as Shirin Ghataq in this province. This delicious stew has a sour taste, which is a good suggestion for those who love sour food.

In preparing this very delicious stew, chicken or duck meat is used. But chicken is more popular in Gilan. Eggplant, tomato, Bukhara plum, black plum, sour tomato paste, sugar and spices are other ingredients used to cook this dish. Note that this dish is served a little juicy and sometimes they use fried eggplant and tomatoes to decorate it.