Navruz fest. Traditional green (Ko'k) Samsa

Navruz or Nowrūz is  the first day of spring and the beginning of the year in different eastern countries, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Azerbaijan, Albania, Georgia etc. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox, which usually occurs on March 21. The moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes night and day is calculated exactly every year and families gather together to observe the rituals. It is a secular holiday that is enjoyed by people of several different faiths. It is originated in the geographical area called Greater Persia (modern day Iran, Western Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan). The distinct culture based on the language, food, music and leisure activities that developed among the many people and ethnic groups who lived in this area. 

It is claimed that Nowruz came from Zoroastrianism. It is written in the  holy book of Zoroastrians "Avesta", that this holiday is the vernal equinox (means that day is equal to night) and it is more family holiday.

Uzbekistan is a secular country and multinational culture with traditions and history are on the first place. Therefore, Navruz is greatly celebrated here. it is the festival where people gather together and eat national foods, cook special "Sumalak" (the "king of Navruz" made of sprouted wheat especially by older generation, while children make wishes throwing stones to the cauldron), samsa, and other spring foods

Celebration of Navruz

One of the main Uzbek national foods inherit to spring festival is green somsa. Actually somasa or samsa is made of meat and wheat but only for Nowruz people cook special green one which is made with salads, onion, and other greens.

Mainly, Samsa is cooked in special oven called tandyr, but I tried to make it by myself, partially :))

So, what do we need?

for pastry

- puff pastry (you can google how to make it, I bought it) 400-500gr

-  sesame 

- yolk 1 

for stuffing

it depends on your creativity and region

mainly you need spinach, onion, garlic, parsley

If you want you can add some potato (slice it into small cubes)

salt

Let's start

cut dough sausage, and then slice into small circles

Roll out the dough on a flat thin circle

herbs for the filling, finely chop and salt. After this,  fry a little bit with oil and  salt

Apply the filling on the rolled out dough

stick it like this from the top

and then from the bottom to the center

press, not leaving holes

press the edges

 Spread yolk on somsa and sprinkle with sesame seeds
place in oven on 30-40 minutes

Voila, Bon appetit! :)