Vegan Persian Fesenjan

This dish brings back so many memories from when I was little. It’s called fesenjān, or fesenjoon, and it’s an Iranian dish my mom would make all the time. I’ll be honest, though, as a kid, I wasn’t the biggest fan. The flavors felt too bold and complicated for me to fully enjoy. But now it’s one of the dishes I genuinely look forward to most when I visit home. The sauce is rich and comforting, made with walnuts and pomegranate molasses, and it has this sweet and tangy balance that’s just so unique. Traditionally it’s made with chicken or duck, but in this plant-based version we’re using seitan instead. Its meaty texture holds up beautifully in the velvety sauce.