Armenian Community Shares Christmas Delicacy
The user tastyuk has shared the recipe for Ghapama, a traditional stuffed pumpkin dish enjoyed by the Armenian community during Christmas celebrations.
Ghapama requires a medium-sized pumpkin filled with a rich mixture of nuts, dried fruits, and aromatic spices. The recipe calls for a handful each of walnuts, pistachios, and almonds, combined with pitted dates, dried apricots, and raisins.
Key Flavorings and Preparation
The filling is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon of salt. Sweetness is provided by 1 tablespoon of agave syrup, maple syrup, or honey. A crucial component is saffron, with 1/6 teaspoon dissolved in 1/4 cup of boiling water.
The method begins by preparing the pumpkin: cutting off the top, removing the seeds, and brushing the interior and exterior with oil. Basmati rice is half-cooked using 2 cups of rice, 1 tablespoon of salt, and water, then drained and rinsed with cold water.
The nuts and dried fruits are roughly chopped and sautéed briefly before spices and syrup are added. The assembly involves carefully layering the half-cooked rice and the toasted nut mixture inside the pumpkin. Each layer is sprinkled with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of the saffron water.
Baking Instructions
Once the pumpkin is filled and the lid is replaced, it is baked at 180 degrees (units unspecified) for approximately one hour, or until the pumpkin is fully cooked.
