Torshi Havij Persian Pickled Carrots Recipes

TORSHI-HAVIJ (PERSIAN PICKLED CARROTS)

Steps:

• Wash the carrots well (there is no need to peel them, but you can if you want to) and boil for about 3 minutes in boiling water. Remove from the water and allow to cool.
• Once the carrots are cooled, place them in a jar with a good lid or seal. It would be good to use use a tall and thin jar so that you can stand the carrots up in it without needing to use so much vinegar, but any jar will do.
• Grate the garlic coarsely and add to the carrots in the jar. Add all other ingredients (except the vinegar).
• Add enough white wine vinegar to the jar to cover the carrots completely. Put the lid on and store in the fridge for at least 3 weeks.

HAVIJ POLO (PERSIAN CARROT RICE)

Steps:

• Saute onion in butter in a large skillet over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove onion to a bowl, leaving any excess butter in the skillet.
• Sprinkle meat with cinnamon and salt; cook in the skillet in the remaining butter until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer meat to a small pot, leaving butter in the skillet. Add carrots to the skillet and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove carrots to a bowl; set skillet aside.
• Add water to the meat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove meat and mix with reserved onions. Pour 1 cup cooking water into the skillet used to cook the vegetables and meat. Add sugar; mix until completely dissolved. Set sauce aside.
• While the meat is cooking, place rice in a colander and rinse several times with warm water to remove starch. Transfer to a bowl and soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Bring 6 cups salty water to a boil in a large saucepan. Drain rice and add to the boiling water. Boil, stirring occasionally to prevent grains from sticking together, until rice is no longer crunchy but still quite firm, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain.
• Butter the bottom of a large pot and top with several layers of rice, the meat-onion mixture, and carrots. Pour sauce over top. Cover the underside of the pot lid with a clean dish towel and place tightly on the pot to absorb moisture.
• Cook over low heat until crunchy on the bottom, about 30 minutes, checking often near the end to prevent burning.