One of the elements of Haft Seen is Sabzeh, sprouts. Sabzeh is actually one of the first things that are prepared for the spread as it takes a couple of weeks for the sprouts to grow into a nice height. There are two types of sabzeh, one that is done with wheat and the other is done with lentils.
For the sake of having my Sabzeh ready by the time I had decided to post this entry I began the process two weeks ago.
Here is a step by step tutorial on how to grow Sabzeh.
Place wheat seeds in a bowl. Make sure that you use unpelted wheat.
Add water and let soak for 2-3 days. Make sure to change the water daily. This picture was taken on February 21th.
After soaking the seeds place them in a platter. You will notice that little white sprouts are sticking out of the seeds at this point. Picture taken on February 24th.
Cover the seeds with a moist paper towel. Lightly sprinkle the seeds with water once a day for the next 2-3 days. Make sure that the paper towel is always moist.
You will notice that the sprouts begin to grow. Continue to sprinkle with water every day. Make sure that the platter is not drenched in water as this can ruin your sprouts.
Place platter on a windowsill. Once the sprouts grow to about 1/2 inch it is no longer necessary to cover them with a moist paper towel. Picture taken February 27th.
Continue to sprinkle daily with water. Picture taken March 1st.
As the days go by the sprouts grow longer and turn into a darker green. Picture taken March 2nd.
Look at this beauty! Looking good and healthy as of yesterday March 4th!
I would suggest starting the Sabzeh process as of today so that you can have a nice looking Sabzeh by March 20th!
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you for this great blog, I’ve never made sabzeh with wheat, this year I’m going to try it. Yours looks great. I also like the deep dish that you have them growing in. I bet your sofreh haft-seen will look amazing.
Have a great weekend:)
Birdette, thank you for your sweet words! I usually made lentil sabzeh but this year I decided to do both. Give the sabzeh a try and let me know how yours comes out!!
Looks good…though I like the sprouts from the lentil and barley better than the wheat !!! They are prettier and softer looking….
Thanks for this step by step tutorial! Looks great. I am starting mine
this evening (Friday, March 5).
I have a question: what about sunlight or light during the soaking and (paper towel) periods?
Thanks!
Brisa, during soaking it doesn’t really matter. But you can definitely start with daylight when they are covered with paper towel. Just make sure that they are not too dry or wet. Good luck!
Hi, thanks for the instructions! I was really excited to try this and ended up soaking the entire bag of wheat seeds and filling a very large bowl without realizing that only a small amount is needed. I guess I can plant some in soil and keep growing it past Norooz for some greenery. Haha, are there any Persian recipes that use wheatgrass by any chance?
Renata, You can place Sabzeh all over your home!!! I don’t know of any Persian recipes that use wheat grass but I suppose that you could make a shake with it!
Thank you. I love growing sabze for norooz. I like lentils, wheat or mung beans also.
Hi,
I started my sabzeh seven days ago, so far everything is going well, except that the sprouts look yellow green. What did I do wrong?
Too much watering? warm temperature? Please help.
Amitis.
Amitis, I think this might be because it might have been getting too much water? Is the sabzeh placed where it gets sunlight all day?
Perfect, I am writing a post on traditions, Iranian culture and I will be linking to you on my Sabzeh definition because this is a great article. Thank you so much!!!!
Farnoosh, thank you for linking back to me!
Thank you so much for this great step-by-step post. I have tried rather unsuccessfully in the past to grow lentil Sabzeh, disappointing my non-Persian self more than my husand’s relatives. This year, with less water and your instructions I hope my Haft Seen will be more respectable
Is there anything particular about lentil beans I should watch out for? For example, does the size or variety (green vs. yellow) have any influence?
Thanks and keep up the beautiful posts.
How can I grow sabzeh on a kozeh(pitcher).
Your pictures are amazing. Very good explanation.
Thanks,
Azar
Azar, I have never done it before, but one of these days I do want to try it!
I am soaking the wheat seeds, and they appear to have exploded. Will they still grow? The seeds expanded in size greatly.
Greg, they first expand because of the water that they absorb. Then once you take them out of the water they start sprouting.
what will you do once the sabzeh have grown? How exactly do you make a wish?
Hi Ava, you can read all about what to do with the Sabzeh at the following link: http://mypersiankitchen.com/sizdeh-bedar-13th-day-of-norouz/