Gilan Fesenjan
Gilan people use duck or Khotka (a type of wild chicken) instead of chicken to make Fesenjan. This meat is usually cooked properly and served the same way. In spring and summer, when hunting is not done, people eat turkey or chicken. Pomegranate paste in this region of Iran is made from wild pomegranate or sour pomegranate, and therefore Gilan Fesenjan is sourer and almost black. The people of Gilan prepare and drink Fesenjan stew with the same color and taste, or if they want it to have a smooth taste, they use Qeisi (a kind of plum). Gilaki fesanjan is often cooked in Gamj which is a type of traditional pottery in Gilan.
History of Fesenjan
As we have said, Fesenjan or Fesenjoon has Gilani roots and in addition to duck meat, local spices and vegetables are also used to prepare it. Sometimes they go for Azgil paste instead of pomegranate paste. Unlike the original Iranian stews that have a strong presence in historical sources; Fesenjan belongs to Qajar cooking treatises and its name does not appear in the books of Safavid period. Apparently, this food was so abandoned that people in other parts of Iran did not know it. There is no exact information about the name of Fesenjan stew and we only know that it was known as “Fusojan” in ancient times and the old cooks considered it as a high-fat (Mosmen) stew. In the book “Iranian Foods” from the Qajar era, it is written about Fesenjan:
The Mosmen which called “Adam” in Tazi, and there are several types of them and I write their names in the names that are now used in Iran. Because these foods were not in the past until the letters were written and it can not be said why this name was given to this stew and we still do not know how and in what way the names of these foods were chosen. So we deserve to read it by the same name and not ask why it is called that.
Benefits of Khoresht Fesenjan
Khoresht Fesenjan is made from walnuts, pomegranate paste and meat which are very nutritious and in addition to being delicious and tasty, it is also a nutritious and high-quality meal.
Walnuts: are a source of vitamins and phosphorus; In addition, it is a hematopoietic and blood purifier and helps treat lung diseases and prevent the formation of gallstones and kidney stones. The presence of omega-3 in walnuts has an effect on improving brain function and therefore it is called brain food. In addition to antioxidants, walnuts contain alpha linolenic acid (a member of the omega-3 family of fatty acids), which protects people against heart attacks. According to scientists, a diet rich in walnuts can reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Sterols of walnut reduce the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood.
Numerous other properties of walnuts include:
- Strengthens hair follicles
- Relief and treatment of gastric reflux
- Effective in the physical development of children
- Help improve and regulate sleep
- Effect on intestinal function
- help relieve constipation
Pomegranate paste: Pomegranate paste, if prepared from high quality pomegranate and according to a hygienic process, has many properties to the body, including fiber, potassium, vitamin C, carbohydrates, manganese, sodium, magnesium, polyphenols, olagic acid. , Folic acid, vitamin A and vitamin B group. Pomegranate paste has a great effect on lowering cholesterol, slimming, increasing energy, easy digestion of food, strengthening the immune system, cancer prevention, blood purification, treatment of high blood pressure
Chicken: Chicken meat has a high nutritional value and helps a lot in treating some diseases. Its vitamin B can prevent anxiety, stress and memory loss syndrome. Protecting the eyes against poor eyesight, enhancing the growth of damaged cells and tissues, strengthening the immune system, oral health, nail health, regulating the hormone cortisol, helping cardiovascular health, etc. are other properties of chicken.
The taste of Khoresht Fesenjan
Khoresht Fesenjan is one of the best Iranian parliamentary dishes for a party. Most Iranians prepare this relatively expensive meal when they have a special guest for whom they want to pay the bill. This food is so delicious and appetizing that few people do not like it; Especially when a layer of walnut oil sits on the stew and the taste of pomegranate paste next to the walnuts creates a miraculous combination that you just want to close your eyes and put a few spoonfuls of this exceptional potion in your mouth and enjoy a healthy and delicious meal with everyone.