Ghapama is a traditional Armenian holiday dish made from a pumpkin stuffed with rice, dried fruits, nuts, and honey. It is a sweet main dish often served at celebrations, especially during Christmas and New Year. The dish is so beloved that there is a famous folk song sung when serving it.
Ingredients
- 1 medium pumpkin (about 3-4 kg)
- 2 cups rice (long grain)
- 1 cup dried apricots (chopped)
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup prunes (pitted and chopped)
- 1 cup walnuts (chopped)
- 1 cup almonds (chopped)
- 0.5 cup honey
- 0.5 cup butter (melted)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp cardamom (ground)
Instructions
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1
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Cut off the top of the pumpkin and set aside as a lid. Scoop out all seeds and stringy pulp.
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2
Cook the rice until half done, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
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3
In a large bowl, mix the partially cooked rice with dried apricots, raisins, prunes, walnuts, and almonds.
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4
Add melted butter, honey, cinnamon, and cardamom to the mixture. Stir well.
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5
Stuff the pumpkin with the rice and fruit mixture, pressing down gently.
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6
Place the pumpkin lid back on top. Wrap the entire pumpkin in aluminum foil.
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7
Place on a baking sheet and bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, until the pumpkin flesh is tender.
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8
Remove foil, slice into wedges including the pumpkin flesh, and serve warm drizzled with additional honey.
Tips & Variations
Choose a pumpkin with a flat bottom so it stands upright. You can add dates or figs for extra sweetness. The traditional song "Ghapama" is sung while serving this dish at festive gatherings.
Cultural Background
Ghapama is an ancient Armenian dish with roots going back centuries. It is deeply connected to Armenian celebrations, especially Christmas and New Year. There is a famous folk song called "Ghapama" that is traditionally sung when the dish is served, making it one of the most culturally significant dishes in Armenian cuisine.
Region: All regions of Armenia