FoodieAtlas
Recipes around the World
Ghapama is a beloved Armenian dessert made from a whole pumpkin filled with a sweet rice mixture, dried fruits, and nuts. Traditionally served during festive occasions like Thanksgiving and other family gatherings, this dish symbolizes abundance and hospitality in Armenian culture. Its vibrant presentation and rich flavors make it a centerpiece at any table.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Wash the pumpkin thoroughly. Cut off the top to create a lid and scoop out all the seeds and stringy pulp from the inside. Set the cleaned pumpkin aside.
In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rice and a pinch of salt. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rice, chopped apricots, raisins, chopped walnuts, chopped almonds, chopped dried apples, honey, melted butter, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, ground allspice, and a pinch of salt. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Spoon the rice mixture into the hollowed pumpkin, packing it in firmly. Replace the top of the pumpkin as a lid.
Place the filled pumpkin in a large baking dish. Add about 1 inch of water to the baking dish to help keep the pumpkin moist while baking.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the pumpkin is tender when pierced with a fork.
Remove the ghapama from the oven and let it cool slightly. Carefully transfer the pumpkin to a serving platter.
To serve, remove the lid and scoop out the filling along with some of the pumpkin flesh. Serve hot.
Enjoy your meal!
Ghapama is a traditional Armenian dessert consisting of a pumpkin filled with a sweet mixture of rice, dried fruits, and nuts. It's baked until tender, resulting in a delicious and visually stunning dish.
Ghapama originates from Armenia, where it has been cherished for generations as a festive treat.
The key ingredients include pumpkin, rice, dried apricots, raisins, walnuts, almonds, and dried apples.
Ghapama takes approximately 130-170 minutes to prepare and cook.
Ghapama is often served as a dessert on its own, but it can also be enjoyed with a dollop of yogurt or a drizzle of honey.