The history of any city can be recognized from Rasht local foods, in any city or country, food is considered a cultural symbol. Gilan is also one of the cities that has a very high variety of food, so much so that in 2014, its name was registered as a creative and diverse gastronomic city by UNESCO.

It is safe to say that there is no one who does not know the local dishes of Gilan. Because almost 220 types of food are cooked in this city. The common feature and the main basis of most of the local dishes of Gilan are eggplants, turmeric, garlic, walnuts, pomegranate juice, and local vegetables such as Khalawash and Chochag.

Among all the delicious foods in Gilan, today we are going to read about Baghala Ghatogh. For sure, like many other Gilani dishes, Baghali Qatoq is a delicious combination of the ingredients that mother nature provides this green land with. So let’s go on;

Baghali Ghatogh

Baghali Ghatogh or beans stew is one of the oldest local dishes of Gilan cuisine and the people of Gilan are professional in cooking it. In a way we can say, it is a delicious and hearty stew that they cook with the least and simplest ingredients which are also very hearty and filling. It seems that eating foods like Baghali Ghatogh for iftar or before the dawn meal in Ramadan will keep you full and energetic for more hours due to the high amount of fiber and protein.

What Do You Need to Make Baghali Ghatogh?

1.Lima beans

The main ingredients of this dish are Rashti beans as they say in the Gilaki language (pache baghale) that you can use lima beans instead. To go further, let me tell you the word pache in Gilan means short or small. So they grow a local bean which is small and short. Iranians who do not access the Rashti beans use Farm beans instead.

This bean contains fiber, protein, and various vitamins and is considered a healthy food. These small energy seeds are useful for heart patients. It has a colder nature. This seed is also rich in phosphorus, copper, manganese, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B, and folic acid, all of these minerals indicate its high nutritional value. Other properties of Rashti beans include:

• Reduction of prostate swelling
• Treatment of joint pains and rheumatism
• Increase and improve sexual power
• Raising IQ because of the phosphorus in it
• Treatment of anemia
• Improvement and rapid digestion of food due to the fiber present in it

2.Dill

In addition to its unique taste and aroma, dill has countless properties and also contains many vitamins and minerals. Having many antioxidants, dill plays an important role in strengthening the immune system and preventing cancer. Dill can also reduce cholesterol. Although dill has very few calories, about 43 calories per 100 grams, dill has many nutrients and is rich in vitamin A and vitamin C; Also, this plant has large amounts of vitamin B6, iron, magnesium, and folate. In addition to having all kinds of vitamins, dill has natural substances, other compounds are also seen in it that have antimicrobial properties. This vegetable is rich in calcium, as well, and its consumption strengthens teeth and bones.

So as you see it’s an important ingredient. You can use dry dill or fresh. When you use fresh dill it has a fresher smell but is a bit more intense. Both ways it will be awesomely delicious.

3.Garlic

Throughout history, garlic has always been known as a suitable treatment for various diseases. During the First World War, during the outbreak of diseases, they used garlic, this special plant. even the pharaohs of Egypt were familiar with the properties of this magical plant, and according to narratives they gave garlic to their slaves to keep them strong so that they could finish the construction of the Egyptian pyramids. The amazing garlic helps improve the immune system, as well.

If you have fresh garlic, better if not you can use the dry ones to make your Baghale Ghatogh.

4.Eggs

Eggs are among the foods that should be included in the “superfoods” group. Eggs are one of the most suitable foods for athletes’ diets due to having many vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A and E, as well as a lot of protein. One of the numerous benefits of eggs is to help eye health and prevent heart diseases.

Above all, you can add one egg per person if you wish.

Necessary Ingredients for Preparing Baghali Ghatogh

As said, Baghali Ghatogh is a northern dish that has many fans in all parts of our beloved country, Iran. Qatoq beans are the main meal for dear northerners and they serve their guests with this dish in most ceremonies and gatherings. You can find the Real Baghali Ghatogh only in the north. Why? Because the local beans, duck eggs, and local vegetables are used to make this stew which is mostly found in the northern regions.

But there is no need to worry about preparing Gilani Baghali Ghatogh at your own home. We are going to let you know whatever you need to taste something special. It may not have the same aroma and taste, but it is very close to the essence of this dish. So, let’s take a look at the ingredients;

500 grams of bagala (beans)
Duck eggs/chicken eggs 3
5 tablespoons of dry dill
Olive oil 1 cup
Garlic 1 bush
Water 1 liter
Salt, pepper, and turmeric as needed

How to Make Baghali Ghatogh

Step 1: Preparation of garlic

First, peel the garlic and press the garlic cloves with a kitchen knife. Then fry in a little oil on high heat until only the smell of garlic rises. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2: Preparation of beans

Clean the beans and pour water in a large bowl with enough water to cover the beans. Give time for 1 night for beans to soak. After this time, peel the beans and put them aside.

Step 3: Dill
Roast dill like garlic in a dish with a little oil on high heat, and when the fragrance of dill rises, remove the dish from the heat and set it aside.

Step 4: Preparation of Baghali Ghatogh

After all the steps, it is time to take a suitable pot and put the garlic in the pot along with the beans, and heat them together. Add the necessary spices and then add the dill along with water and olive oil to the beans and allow all the ingredients to cook together for 1 hour.

Step 5: Eggs

When the beans are cooked and the water in the stew has evaporated a little, break the eggs into the stew, and without stirring the eggs, put the lid on the pot until the eggs harden well. Also, if you wish, you can add eggs to the number of people.

Step 6: The end of the work

When the stew starts to ooze oil and the eggs harden, your Baghali Ghatogh is ready. Serve the stew with rice and pickled garlic, olives, etc. on the side.

Tips on Preparing Baghali Ghatogh

1. If you don’t have access to the Rashti Baghali, you can use Lima beans instead to make this delicious stew.
2. If you have access to duck eggs, use duck eggs to prepare Baghali Ghatogh, otherwise, use eggs. When breaking the eggs in the stew, do not stir them.
3. Do not fry garlic and dill too much because they become bitter.
4. To cook beans better, soak them the night before.
5. You can enjoy Bagala Qataq along with northern salted fish and also northern smoked fish.

How to Make Vegan Baghali Ghatogh

To make a Vegan Baghali Ghatogh, the whole ingredients and the whole process will be the same except for the eggs. You can either not add any or add some mushrooms instead. Both ways it will be delicious.