A Nowruz feast menu

Being a celebration, the Nowruz feast involves a lot of food, with family and friends gathering around the table to enjoy dishes made with jade-green herbs, representative of new life and spring. A traditional Nowruz table includes fish, symbolic of life and fertility, and here I've created a menu with some modern interpretations, using a roasted sea bass, served alongside a cilantro and walnut relish; and a tangy, garlicky dish of velvety eggplant and chickpeas for those who may prefer a vegan or vegetarian main dish. In the spirit of conviviality, the meal is served and shared family-style. It is a taste of every dish for every palate, to celebrate the renewal of life.

Mahi Sea Bass with Cilantro and Walnut Relish

Khorak Bademjoon Eggplant Stew

Kuku Sabzi Herb and Walnut Frittata

Sabzi Polow Fragrant Herbed Rice

Shayma Owaise Saadat is a food writer and chef. She lives in Toronto with her husband and son. You can follow her culinary journey at www.shaymasaadat.com or on Instagram at @SpiceSpoon.