Gondi (food) facts for kids
A plate of gondi
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| Alternative names | Ghondi, gundi, Persian matzo ball soup |
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| Type | Soup |
| Course | Appetizer or side dish |
| Place of origin |  Iran Khorasan, Esfahan and Tehran |
| Region or state | Iran, Persian Jewish,  Israel,  United States |
| Created by | Persian Jews |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Chickpea flour, chicken, or turkey, or sometimes (ground lamb, grated onions, cardamom, garlic, sometimes turmeric, dried lime |
Gondi (say "go-n-dee") is a special kind of meatball from Persian Jews. It is sometimes called ghondi or gundi. These meatballs are usually made from ground meat like lamb, veal, or chicken.
Gondi is often served with chicken soup. It is a traditional dish for Shabbat, which is the Jewish day of rest. It is also eaten during other Jewish holidays. Gondi is a bit like matzo balls, which are popular in Ashkenazi Jewish cooking.
Sometimes, gondi is served as a side dish or an appetizer. People often eat it with Middle Eastern bread. Fresh green herbs like mint, watercress, and basil are also popular with gondi.
Contents
What is Gondi?
Gondi is a delicious meatball dish. It is a traditional food for Persian Jewish families. These meatballs are usually cooked in a tasty chicken soup. They are a warm and comforting meal.
How Gondi is Served
Gondi is almost always served hot. It can be the main part of a soup. It can also be a smaller dish before a meal. Many people enjoy it with flatbread. Fresh herbs add a nice flavor.
Where Did Gondi Come From?
The exact start of Gondi is not fully known. Many Jewish communities in Iran might have created it. However, it is often said that it first came from the Jewish community in Tehran.
Why Gondi is Special
Meat was quite expensive a long time ago. Because of this, Gondi became a special dish. It was often saved for important days like Shabbat. Gondi is one of the few dishes that is known to have come from Iranian Jews.
What's in Gondi?
Gondi recipes usually include a few main ingredients. The most important parts are ground meat and chickpea flour. This flour is made from ground chickpeas.
Key Ingredients for Gondi
- Ground meat: This can be lamb, veal, or chicken.
- Chickpea flour: Sometimes, the chickpeas are toasted first.
- Shredded onions: These add flavor and moisture.
- Ground cardamom: This spice gives Gondi its unique taste.
- Salt: To season the meatballs.
Sometimes, other ingredients like garlic or turmeric are added. Dried lime can also be used for a tangy flavor.
