I decided to make this recipe with meatballs and aromatic herbs.

Persian Pumpkin Soup: The herbs and meatballs add extra flavor to this soup. I love both versions of this recipe – with and without herbs. They are both equally delicious! This would be a great choice for Thanksgiving dinner or a hearty hot soup on a cold night.

Ingredients (serves 6 to 8):

•  2 medium onions
• 6 garlic cloves
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/2 cup split green peas
• 1/2 cup rice
• 4 cups beef stock
• 4 pounds chopped zucchini
• 2 cups parsley (packed and chopped)
• 3 cups cilantro (packed)
• 2 cups mint (packed)
• 2 cups chives – chopped
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Olive oil
• Nanah Dag (Persian bread accompaniment)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried mint

 

Process: “Persian Pumpkin Soup”

First, thinly slice one of the three onions and heat the olive oil in a large pan. Once the oil is hot, add the onion slices and fry them until they turn translucent. Then add five garlic cloves (finely chopped) and three-quarters of a teaspoon of turmeric powder.

Fry this mixture for 2–3 minutes, then add the pre-washed rice and split peas. Then add the cooked stock mixed with two cups of water to this mixture. Once everything is well mixed, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and cook for about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, grate the remaining second onion and mix it with one clove of garlic. Add a quarter teaspoon of turmeric, a little cinnamon powder, enough salt and pepper powder to it and mix well. Now add the ground beef (chicken/mutton grated) and massage it with your hands to mix the spices well.

 

Form this meat mixture into small meatballs and add them to the previously cooked rice mixture. Cover again and cook for 30 minutes until the meat is tender.

 

Then add finely chopped coriander, bay leaves, and fresh herbs like dill, mix well, and simmer for another 30 minutes.

Finally, add the zucchini cut into small pieces and simmer on low heat for an hour. Finally, heat olive oil in a small pan, and after the heat is off, add the dried mint leaves. Pour this oil over the soup and let it sit for 10–15 minutes. Serve this delicious Persian zucchini soup with a teaspoon of mint in each serving bowl.

 

Recipe Time Duration: “Persian Pumpkin Soup”

🕒 Total time: about 2 hours 15 minutes

🔪 Preparation time: about 30 minutes

Chop herbs such as onion, parsley, cilantro, mint, chives

Peel and chop zucchini

Measure turmeric, cinnamon, rice, split peas

Prepare ground beef mixture with onion, garlic, and spices

🍳 Cooking time: about 1 hour 45 minutes

Fry onion, garlic, and spices in oil – 5–7 minutes

Add rice, peas, and simmer in beef stock – 30 minutes

Add meatballs to soup and cook until tender – 30 minutes

Add herbs (parsley, cilantro, mint, chives) and cook further – 30 minutes

Finally add zucchini slices and simmer until tender – 1 Hour

Finally, add the dried mint to the heated olive oil and let it rest for 10–15 minutes after turning off the heat

ℹ️ Note:

Some steps may overlap (for example: preparing the herbs while the soup is boiling). Therefore, the actual working time may be between 45–60 minutes. The rest of the time is for the dishes to boil.

Health Benefits:

Enriched with Pumpkin:

Pumpkin is rich in Vitamin A, C, and fiber. It is good for vision, skin health, and digestive system.

Herbal Power:

Fresh herbs like coriander, mint, and dill not only soothe the body, but also have a detoxifying effect.

Protein Power:

The ground beef or other meat pieces in this dish are a good source of protein. It provides energy to the body and helps in muscle development.

Garlic & Onions – Natural Antibiotics:

These help in boosting the immune system. They protect against viruses and bacteria.

Turmeric Benefits:

The curcumin present in turmeric gives the body anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

 

Delicious and Satisfying Meal:

The combination of meat, rice, lentils, herbs, and vegetables makes it a complete meal.

It is easy to digest as it is in the form of a soup.

A fusion of traditional + innovative:

This is a Persian dish but it suits Indian tastes. It has an almost sambar-like, soup-like texture.

 

It is a healthy, tasty and satisfying meal, especially in cold weather or for an evening meal.