Associated national cuisine Iranian cuisine Similar dishes Frittata | Main ingredients Eggs Place of origin Iran | |
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Similar Āsh, Abgoosht, Cutlet, Tahchin, Tursu | ||
Kuku also spelled as kookoo (Persian: کوکو, Azerbaijani: kükü) is an egg based Iranian dish. It is frequently a vegetarian dish, made with whipped eggs which then are folded in with various ingredients. It is similar to the Italian dish frittata or an open-faced omelette. Kuku typically has less egg than a frittata, and it cooks for a shorter amount of time, over a low heat, before turned over or grilled briefly to set the top layer.
Contents
For the typical kuku sabzi recipe (as pictured), the eggs and herbs are mixed and seasoned with salt, black pepper, walnuts, sometimes flour, sometime barberries, sometimes baking powder and ground turmeric or adviyeh spice mixture. The mixture is then poured into a preheated oiled pan, covered and cooked over low heat until set, sometimes flipped or finished in a hot oven. Some cooks saute the herbs briefly before adding the eggs. The amount of herb ingredients usually greatly exceeds the amount of eggs, which merely serve to hold the kuku together, making the predominant flavor that of the herbs rather than that of a typical "egg omelette." Walnuts and zereshk (barberries) are a favorite garnish for on top. It is often sliced and served hot or cold with bread or rice, yogurt, sabzi khordan (platter of fresh herbs) and torshi (pickled vegetables). Kuku can be a main dish or an appetizer.
Variations
Iranians including ethnic Persians and ethnic Azeris make many different types of kukus with a variety of flavorings. Some variations include; Kuku sabzi (herb Kuku), potato kuku (Kuku sib-zamini), lima bean and dill kuku, fava bean Kuku (Kuku Shevid-Baqala), squash Kuku, eggplant Kuku (kuku-ye bademjan), zucchini Kuku, and chicken Kuku (kuku-ye morgh).
Kuku sabzi
One of the most popular variations is kuku sabzi (Persian: کوکوسبزی, 'fresh-herb kuku'), flavored with some combination of herbs and leafy vegetables (e.g. scallions, parsley, chives, coriander, dill, spinach, lettuce, fenugreek leaves) and tinted a deep green. This dish is often served at Persian New Year (Nowruz) and has been associated with a food one would bring to Sizdeh Bedar picnic (the 13th day of Persian New Year, marks the end of the holiday often celebrated with an outdoor picnic).
Kuku sib zamini
Another kuku popular in the Iranian province of Gilān made by Gilak people, is called kuku sib-zamini (Gilaki: کوکو سیب زمینی, 'potato kuku'). Potato kuku is made with shredded potatoes, onion, saffron, sometimes garlic chives and sometimes cinnamon. Frequently, potato kuku is cooked in smaller patties, but it is also cooked in a larger pancake-style or baked. This dish and has been compared to the latke, rösti, and Tortilla Española (Spanish omelette).