Stuffed trout and herby rice: an Iranian new year feast – recipes

Celebrate Nowruz, or Persian new year, with a traditional spread of broad bean dip, stuffed spiced trout and herbed rice

Today is Nowruz, the celebration of spring and renewal that marks the beginning of the Persian new year. The celebrations usually start weeks beforehand, though, with what you might call a spring clean and laying down a haft-sin, which is a display of seven items that start with the letter s". In recent years, people have personalised their displays in what is probably my favourite part of the whole celebration, because each item on display symbolises a wish for the coming year.

Celebrations traditionally continue for two weeks that are full of family, friends and amazing food - and lots of it, too. There'll be fresh herbs in abundance, symbolising renewal, fish for life, eggs for fertility and, of course, plenty of sugary treats to start your year on a sweet note. Unfortunately, the lockdown took its toll on last year's celebration, and will do so again this year as well, but we will still put out a haft-sin, cook a celebratory meal for two and video call our loved ones to wish them sal-e nu mobarak!