Come with me on a little journey into the world of Persian street food! Baghali Pokhte – Healthy Street Food from Iran – is a true spring and summer favorite. We love it so much that we even dry the beans, so we can enjoy them in autumn and winter too. Honestly, every Persian is crazy about this snack – even kids can’t resist. If you like edamame, you’ll definitely fall for Baghali Pokhte.
The fun part is how you eat it: you squeeze the bean out of its tough outer skin to get to the soft, tender center. Then you pop it into your mouth and enjoy the nutty, creamy goodness. Simple but so satisfying.
For flavor, we season Baghali Pokhte with Golpar (Persian hogweed spice), a little salt, and a splash of lemon juice or vinegar. That’s all it takes to turn these beans into an irresistible, healthy snack. Curious about Golpar? I’ve written about it before – you’ll usually only find it in Persian grocery shops.
BAGHALI – BROAD BEANS IN TEB-E SONATI
Teb-e Sonati is the traditional Persian medicine. In this system, fresh broad beans are considered a “cold and wet” food, while the dried version is seen as “cold and dry.” If you tend to feel chilly, you can balance out the cold effect by eating the beans with a little almond oil, cinnamon, and pepper.
There are two ways to cook broad beans – with or without their skins. I like to cook them with the skin on and even eat them that way, except for the tougher fibers around the edge. The skin is believed to cleanse the stomach and can be especially helpful for people with digestive issues.
You usually find broad beans – also called fava beans – at the market from June to September. When buying, look for bright green pods with tender skin, that’s when they taste the best.
And if you’re a fan of broad beans, you’ll probably also enjoy Baghali Polo ba Mahiche – Braised Lamb Shanks with Dill Rice and Fava Beans or Baghali Gatogh (a Persian dish with broad beans, dill, and eggs).
STREET FOOD IN IRAN
Street food is part of everyday life in Iran – it’s been around for as long as I can remember. I absolutely love it! Often we spend a relaxed evening with family, or stroll through the city with friends, tasting our way from one colorful stall to the next.
If you’re thinking of American or German street food, you probably imagine pulled pork, burgers, hot dogs, or donuts served from a cool food truck. In Iran, it’s very different. The focus is on fresh, healthy snacks – so popular that long lines often form in front of the stands.
You’ll find street food almost everywhere: on street corners, at the roadside, or in busy squares. But don’t expect fancy food trucks like the ones you know from Europe or the U.S. Here, it’s usually simple old wooden carts on wheels or converted bicycles, loaded with the healthiest seasonal fruits, veggies, and homemade snacks.
POPULAR STREET FOODS IN IRAN
When it comes to street food in Persia, fresh fruits are always a highlight. You’ll often find white or dark mulberries (Toot or Shahtoot) and tart cornelian cherries (Zoghalakhte). Don’t miss the variety of veggies either – roasted beets (Laboo), usually sold right next to Baghali Pokhte, or grilled corn on the cob (Balal). In spring, you can snack on crunchy green plums (Godje Sabz) or tender green almonds (Chaghale Badoom). Another favorite is Lavashak – Persian fruit leather in all kinds of flavors.
Street vendors also serve refreshing drinks, perfect for hot days. Some of the classics include Sharbat-e Khakshir Nabat, Sharbat-e Tokhme Sharbati, fresh melon juice (Ab Talebi), watermelon juice (Ab Hendevaneh), homemade lemonade (Sharbat-e Ab Limo), pomegranate juice (Ab Anar), or even carrot juice with ice cream (Ab Havij Bastani).
Nuts are another beloved street snack, known as Ajil. In autumn, you’ll spot vendors selling fresh pickled walnuts in brine from simple fold-up tables – and all for just a few coins. Honestly, I crave them so much and haven’t had them in years!
One of my favorite places for street food in Tehran is Si-ye Tir Street, famous for traditional dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. And while I love exploring Persian street food, I also enjoy going to street food festivals in Germany. These days, almost every big city there hosts cool festivals with food trucks and tasty international bites.
INGREDIENTS BAGHALI POKHTE
1 kg broad beans (about 400 g peeled beans)
TO SEASON (to taste)
Salt
Golpar (Persian hogweed spice)
Lemon juice or white wine vinegar
PREPARATION BAGHALI POKHTE
Wash the broad beans, pat them dry, and sprinkle with a little salt.
Bring a pot of water to a boil with 1 teaspoon of salt. Add the beans and cook until the water boils again.
Lower the heat and let them simmer for about 15–20 minutes.
– Alternatively, you can steam them in a steaming basket for the same amount of time.
The beans should be tender but not overcooked. Drain well in a colander.
Season with Golpar and a splash of lemon juice or white wine vinegar.
You can enjoy them warm or cold – both ways are delicious!
Befarmayid
Susan
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Baghali Pokhte – Healthy Street Food from Iran
Baghali Pokhte – Healthy Street Food from Iran. If you like edamame, you’ll definitely fall for Baghali Pokhte.
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS BAGHALI POKHTE
- 1 kg broad beans about 400 g peeled beans
TO SEASON (to taste)
- Salt
- Golpar Persian hogweed spice
- Lemon juice or white wine vinegar
Instructions
PREPARATION BAGHALI POKHTE
-
Wash the broad beans, pat them dry, and sprinkle with a little salt.
-
Bring a pot of water to a boil with 1 teaspoon of salt. Add the beans and cook until the water boils again.
-
Lower the heat and let them simmer for about 15–20 minutes.
-
– Alternatively, you can steam them in a steaming basket for the same amount of time.
-
The beans should be tender but not overcooked.
-
Drain well in a colander.
HOW TO SEASON
-
Season with Golpar and a splash of lemon juice or white wine vinegar.
Recipe Notes
You can enjoy them warm or cold – both ways are delicious!
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Tried out this recipe yet? Drop a comment below and let me know! Don’t forget to tag your pic on Instagram with @labsalliebe and use #labsalliebe. I won’t miss it and will leave you some love in the comments too. Can’t wait to see what you create!
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