Episode 7 - Gondi: A Persian Pleasure to Honor Shabbat

Jews everywhere have always reserved their best foods for the Sabbath. Gondi is a food that is unique to the Jews of Persia (Iran), and is almost exclusively eaten at Friday night Shabbat dinner. One of many examples of how Jews use cuisine to honor and show respect for their Day of Rest.

Interview: Tannaz Sassooni

Episode Notes

Definitions:
“Kurdistan” – A geographical region, not a country, stretching across parts of northwestern Iran, northern Iraq, southeastern Turkey, and northeastern Syria.

“Sanandaj” – A province in Iranian Kurdistan.

“Tahdig” – a crispy layer of rice that is the most beloved portion of any Persian rice dish.

Sources and links:
Shabbat 117b, 119a

Isaiah 58:13

Page Smith and Charles Daniel The Chicken Book

Gil Marks Encyclopedia of Jewish Food

Fitfit with Agwat (Hebrew video)