Cookbook Author Naz Deravian’s Guide To Persian Food In LA - Los Angeles - The Infatuation

"Simi Valley might seem like a far trek for Persian sweets, but Deravian claims Fariba Nafissi’s bakery is worth the trip and has “hands-down the best pastries.” And this is coming from someone who typically doesn’t indulge. “I’m traditionally not a huge fan of Persians sweets, because I would always find them [to be] really sweet,” she says. “I don’t have a huge sweet tooth. But Fariba has really nailed that perfect amount of sweetness in Persian pastries that’s not off-putting.” Deravian likes Fariba’s chickpea flour cookies called nan-e-nokhodchi and kolompeh, which is a specialty from Fariba’s hometown of Kerman. “It’s a date-stuffed pastry, and they get that beautiful stamp on it. It looks like a piece of art,” she says. ZoZo even ships its baked goods—including kolompeh—jams, and pickles nationwide and internationally. Both the studio and online store are on temporary hiatus, but are meant to reopen in October 2021." - garin pirnia