Mum's Traditional Parsi Sev (Sweet Vermicelli)
Updated: Sep 1
One of my family’s most treasured recipes! My Mum’s deliciously simple traditional Parsi Sev recipe has been lovingly made for our family birthdays, celebrations and happiest occasions for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I eagerly looked forward to every special occasion when Mum would make this beautiful dish for us, and now I have the joy of preparing it with that same love and care for my own children and family.
Today is a huge day not just for me but for the world - yes it sounds a bit dramatic but today is the day that right here, right now, on this very blog I will reveal a closely guarded family secret recipe for a fool-proof Parsi Sev recipe courtesy of my Mum.
My Mum has served this recipe in Australia, India and the USA, no matter where she goes they ALWAYS say it is the best Parsi Sev they have ever tasted and I tend to agree as well and I am not biased at all (*smile).
Soft, delicate and wonderfully sweet, this traditional Parsi Sev is infused with the warm, exotic aromas of fragrant cardamom and nutmeg. More than just a delicious celebratory dish, it carries the beautiful flavours, memories and traditions of generations of my family. While many traditional recipes fry their Parsi Sev in lots of oil, this version is much lighter and I say without hesitation, a much taster version of this beloved cultural dish!
Parsi Sev, is a beautiful sweet celebratory dish made from roasted vermicelli (found at all Indian grocery stores) to which sugar, oil, salt and spices are added. This dish is often served for breakfast of the day of any special occasion, including birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, or the start of anything important within the family. It is also served for breakfast during the festival of Navroz.
The idea behind sev stems from the cultural tradition of "mithu monu" or "sweet mouth" which is the literal translation. In Parsi culture it is considered auspicious to start a special day or occasion with something sweet for good luck and prosperity.
Quite often, Parsi sev is served with sweetened, plain or Greek yogurt - and the combination of the sweetness of the sev with the tanginess of the yogurt is truly delightful!
I hope that by sharing my Mum’s cherished Parsi Sev recipe, I can help keep this treasured part of our Parsi food heritage and authentic Parsi cuisine alive, so that these special recipes and the memories they create can continue to be passed down for generations to come. ❤️
Although this recipe is very, very easy, I must confess, there is a bit of an "art" to making this dish so I really encourage you to watch the video!
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