Nowruz pastry · Thin and crisp
Goosh-e Fil Recipe (Persian Elephant Ear Pastries)
Roll very thin. Pinch in the middle. Hot, steady oil.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenGoosh-e fil, elephant ears, are paper thin fried pastries pinched in the middle and dusted with sugar and pistachio, a favourite on the Nowruz table. They turn thick and chewy when rolled thick, or greasy when the oil is cool. The fix is rolling the rested dough paper thin and frying quickly in hot, steady oil.
The 3 laws of goosh-e fil
Why this recipe works
Thick sheets
Thin is what makes them shatter.
Flat
Gives the ear shape.
Cool oil
Fast frying stops grease.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Dough
Finish
The NineFoods ear gauge
Are they fried right?
Lift one out with tongs.
Method · 3 stages
Step by step
Dough
- Mix dough, knead smooth and rest 20 minutes.
Shape
- Roll paper thin, cut ovals and pinch each in the middle.
Fry
- Fry a few at a time for 20 to 30 seconds per side. Use the gauge above.
- Drain, then dust with sugar and pistachio.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
Rolled thick.
Fix next time
Roll paper thin.
Why
Oil too cool.
Fix next time
Keep oil hot and steady.
Why
Oil too hot or long fry.
Fix next time
Fry for seconds only.
Why
Not rested.
Fix next time
Rest 20 minutes.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Yoghurt | Tenderness | Milk |
| Pistachios | Topping | Almonds |
| Powdered sugar | Sweetness | Honey drizzle |
| Rolling pin | Thinness | Pasta machine |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Tea on the Nowruz table.
Store
Airtight 1 week; dust before serving.
Reheat
Serve at room temperature.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio
Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 20 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 3 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (are they fried right) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Goosh-e Fil FAQ
What is goosh-e fil?
Persian fried pastries shaped like elephant ears.
Why is it called elephant ear?
The pinched oval shape looks like an ear.
When is it eaten?
Mostly at Nowruz.
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes, chill up to 1 day.