Sholeh Zard
Sholeh zard is closely tied to religious and memorial traditions in Iran, often cooked in large batches to be distributed as nazri, a food offering made to fulfill a vow or in remembrance of the deceased. The generous amount of saffron, a spice otherwise used sparingly, reflects the special nature of this dessert, cooked to be shared rather than just eaten at home. The technique of drawing patterns on the surface with cinnamon, often including the name of the person being remembered or religious symbols, turns the dessert into a personal gesture of remembrance. Though the base recipe stays simple — rice, sugar, saffron and rosewater — its intense sweetness and floral scent make it unmistakable among Persian desserts.
Generous amount of saffron
Unusually large quantities of saffron give the rice pudding its deep yellow color and strong floral scent.
Rice cooked until it breaks down
The rice simmers far longer than usual, until the grains lose their shape and melt into a creamy texture.
A pattern drawn on top at the end
The smoothed surface is decorated with cinnamon and chopped almonds, often in geometric patterns or even words.
Often prepared as an offering
Sholeh zard is traditionally cooked in large batches to be shared with neighbors on religious or memorial occasions.
Ingredients 4 servings
- 1 cup rice, washed
- 6 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tsp saffron, ground and bloomed
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 3 tbsp almonds, chopped
- 3 tbsp pistachios, chopped
- 1 tbsp rosewater
How to make it
- 1Put the washed rice and water in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
- 2Reduce the heat to low and let the rice simmer uncovered for an hour, stirring occasionally, until the grains break down completely.
- 3Add the sugar, butter and bloomed saffron, stirring well to dissolve.
- 4Continue simmering over low heat for another thirty minutes, stirring often, until the mixture thickens like a custard.
- 5Stir in the cinnamon and rosewater, mixing for a minute before turning off the heat.
- 6Pour the pudding into individual bowls or a large tray and smooth the surface with a spoon.
- 7Decorate with chopped almonds and pistachios in a geometric pattern before it cools completely.
Nutritional info
per serving (~350 g)
Estimated nutritional values.
Pairs perfectly with
