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Best Mirza ghassemi in New York

“Charred aubergine bound with egg and tomato: the taste of Iran's Caspian coast.”

Mirza ghassemi

What the real thing tastes like

Mirza ghassemi (Persian: میرزا قاسمی; alternative spelling: mirza qassemi) is an Iranian dish from Gilan, appetizer or main course based on tandoori or grilled aubergine (eggplant), distinct to the Northern Iran and Caspian Sea region (specifically Gilan province). The dish consists of aubergines seasoned with garlic, tomato, oil or butter, salt, and pepper bound together with eggs. It can be prepared as a casserole, and is usually served with bread or rice. The variant made with zucchini instead of aubergine is called kadoo ghasemi.

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Mirza ghassemi arrives from Gilan's kitchens as a northern Iranian answer to the question of what to do with a perfect aubergine. The eggplant gets charred over fire or in a tandoor, then folded together with garlic, tomato, egg, and fat into something between a casserole and a scramble—rich enough to stand alone, humble enough to cradle bread or rice.

Order it here when it has

  • regional distinctiveness
  • versatile preparation
  • simple foundational ingredients

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