senjed

Senjed (Persian: سنجد), also known as silverberry or Russian olive, is the dried fruit of the oleaster tree, Elaeagnus angustifolia. The fruit is a small, wrinkled drupe that dries to a brown color and is commonly eaten in its dried form.

Botany and description: Elaeagnus angustifolia is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can reach several meters in height. It has leaves with a green upper surface and a silvery underside due to fine scales. The fruits are oval drupes about 6–12 mm long, ripening in autumn and drying to a brown, wrinkled state. The tree is drought-tolerant and often grows in arid or semi-arid regions.

Cultural significance: In Iranian tradition, senjed is one of the seven items on the haft-seen table prepared for Nowruz, the Persian New Year. It is commonly associated with love and affection.

Uses and distribution: Senjed fruits are eaten as a snack and used in festive foods, jams, or syrups in Iran and parts of Central Asia. The tree is native to Iran, Central Asia, and surrounding regions and has been widely cultivated in arid climates. It is valued for its drought tolerance and the distinctive dried fruit used in seasonal celebrations.