Yekta*

When Yekta, a Persian market, began 28 years ago, "It was more of a beer and wine deli type," says Cathy Dadras, the daughter of the family that owns and runs it. "But it evolved." She can be found next door in the kitchen of Kabobi, the restaurant that serves delectable grilled meats over Persian fragrant rice.

These days Yekta is filled with fresh produce that's hard to find in a regular market, like blood oranges and small pears with peach-colored skins. There are tamarind pods and three different shapes of zucchini and eggplant, three kinds of cucumber, as well as more familiar produce. In the frozen cabinet are herb mixes. In the main grocery you'll find sacks of aged basmati rice, breads the size of tea towels and just as thin, cakes, cookies, dried dates and fruits, and big bowls of pistachios and other nuts. They also sell loomis, the small dried limes that are key to a good lentil soup. High up on the top shelf is a row of hookahs and at counter level, copies of local author Najmieh Batmanglij's book, "From Persia to Napa". With her husband, Mohammad, Batmanglij is the founder of Mage Publishers which specializes in books on Persian culture and literature. 

Yekta, 1488 Rockville Pike, Rockville, 301 984 0005.

* means this is one of My Favorite Markets 

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