Ash (آش)

Ash is a beloved Persian comfort soup that appears on tables year-round, though it holds special significance during Nowruz (Persian New Year). This soul-warming bowl is built on a foundation of split peas, lentils, and kidney beans slow-simmered until creamy, then enriched with fresh herbs—dill, parsley, and cilantro—and tender pasta or kashk (whey). The soup is served steaming hot, crowned with crispy fried onions and garlic, and traditionally accompanied by a dollop of yogurt to swirl through each spoonful, creating layers of tangy, herbaceous, and savory flavor. It's the kind of dish that nourishes both body and spirit.