Jabonee Seeds at Crema House in Ottawa are roasted and salted watermelon seeds, the Persian snack known as tokhmeh Japoni or Jabani. Each seed is cracked between the front teeth to free the small, nutty kernel, and the shell is set aside; it is a slow snack, eaten by the handful through an evening of tea and talk. The seeds are savoury and salty rather than sweet, and they are made without dairy or egg, so they are vegan. They are a fixture of Persian gatherings, film nights and Nowruz visits. They are packed in a kitchen that handles nuts. A pack lasts a long time, because each seed is small work. Order for pickup on Clyde Avenue, and drink Persian Tea with them.
