Episode 54: Squash

In Episode #54, co-hosts Bita and Beata talk about squash, called “kadoo/kadu” in Farsi and its uses in Persian food and beyond.

Kadoo/kadu is the word in Farsi for squash. The most prevalent type of squash in Persian cuisine is probably zucchini. Zucchini is great because it can easily be substituted for eggplant which is in many Persian stews, dishes, and dips.

Some Persian dishes using kadoo | squash as an ingredient:

Kadoo borani – mixed with tomatoes, sauteed onions and yogurt
Kadoo kookoo
Stews made with squash

Modern uses of squash in Persian cooking and cuisine

Pumpkin added to fesenjoon | Persian walnut and pomegranate stew
Yogurt with raw zucchini – a version of mast o khiar

Fun with pumpkins

Soups, stews, pumpkin seeds
Table decor
Hallowed out and used as a serving vessel for soups and stews

Beats Cheats – shortcuts for cooking with squash

Chopped and frozen
Prepped, chopped, refrigerated
Canned pumpkin puree

Ask the Beats

Miriam from Sunnyvale asks

“Do you have any easy, vegan, Mediterranean lunch ideas or recipes?”

Yes, great for cooking meats, as well as for cooking Persian soups and stews. Also helpful as a time saving tool when batch cooking and meal prepping.