Zoolbia & Bamieh

What is it?

Zoolbia is piped into hot oil in a lacy spiral; bamieh is piped in short ridged lengths. Both are fried and then dropped into cool syrup.

The syrup is scented with saffron and rosewater, and the sweets are usually sold together by weight.

The Persian table

They are most associated with Ramadan, when they are bought in the evening, but are available from pastry shops through the year.