Note 548 — APPENDIX XI
Philip Askell Benton translation
It consists of wheat boiled and sweetened with dates, nuts, and other dried fruits. Presents of this dish, sometimes with small gold coins sprinkled upon it, are sent to friends and relatives from the harems of the wealthy. The common name for it is ‘hobub’. This dish, or one similar to it, was prepared at the Persian New Year. It probably celebrated the coming in of the harvest. All the old fruits, &c., that had been kept during the winter were made use of for the dish, and the season of fresh fruits was thus inaugurated.