Bozbash facts for kids

Bozbash, a tasty stew from the Middle East.

Bozbash is a delicious meat stew or thick soup. It is very popular in countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. People enjoy this warm and hearty dish often.

What's in a Name? The Story of Bozbash

The name Bozbash comes from the Azeri Turkish language. It might mean "light gray head." This name could refer to the light color of the dish when it is cooked.

Bozbash is also known as abgoosht-e sabzi in Iran. This dish became popular in Iranian cuisine a bit later than some other traditional foods. A chef named Mirza Ali-Akbar Khan, who worked for King Naser al-Din Shah Qajar (who ruled from 1848 to 1896), was one of the first to write about it. He described Bozbash as a type of meat stew or soup. Sometimes, these stews were even eaten cold!

What's in Bozbash?

Bozbash is made with many yummy ingredients. It usually includes meat, often lamb. It also has beans, like red or white beans.

Fresh Ingredients

To make Bozbash, cooks add fresh green vegetables and herbs. These can include:

• Parsley
• Fenugreek
• Mint
• Onions
• Leeks

Special Flavors

A special ingredient in Bozbash is dried limes, called līmū-ye ʿomānī. These give the stew a unique tangy flavor. Spices like salt, pepper, and turmeric are also added to make it taste great.

How It's Cooked

All these ingredients are put into water and cooked slowly. They simmer over low heat for several hours. This long cooking time makes the meat very tender and blends all the flavors together.

Serving Bozbash

When the Bozbash is fully cooked, the solid parts are often taken out. They are then mashed into a soft pulp, which is called gūšt-e kūbīde. The rich liquid, or broth, and the mashed pulp are usually served separately. People often eat them with flat bread and a pickled green-vegetable side dish.

Special Kinds of Bozbash

In Armenian cuisine, there is a unique type of Bozbash called Shoushin bozbash. This version is not very common outside the Caucasus region. It is made with lamb, quince (a fruit similar to an apple), apple, and mint. This mix of ingredients gives it a special sweet and savory taste.