 Ghapama served in a restaurant | |
| Type | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Armenia |
| Main ingredients | Pumpkin,rice,dried fruits, meat |
Ghapama (Armenian:ղափամա) is anArmenian stuffedpumpkin dish, usually served as a dessert.[1] It is prepared by removing the inside of the pumpkin (known as դդում in Armenian, pronounceddt'um inEastern Armenian andt't'um inWestern Armenian) and stuffing it with cookedrice, butter, honey, dried fruits, nuts, and meat, to be baked.[2] Dried fruits used in the dish includefigs,apricots,prunes, andraisins, while the nuts includewalnuts andalmonds.[3][4]
Historically, crops such as pumpkins, potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes, were brought to Armenia in the 19th century from the "New World". The crops were mixed with traditional Armenian dishes and were then "naturalized" to Armenian cuisine according to writers Irina Petrosian and David Underwood.[2] Other than ghapama, other Armenian dishes that used the crops in includeajapsandali and tomatolavash.[4][5]
From Turkic: Qapamaq, means close, cover
Ottoman Turkish قپامه (kapama, “lamb stewed in a covered pot”)[6]
Ghapama is usually served during autumn time in Armenia to celebrate the harvest during the season. The dish is also served at other major celebrations such asChristmas,New Year,Easter, and weddings.[7]
A song inThe Armenian Folk Song Treasury highlights the dish, being the only song in the treasury to highlight a food item. The song is entitled "Hey Jan Ghapama" (Armenian:Հէյ Ջան Ղափամա) and repeats a line admiring the taste and aroma of ghapama. Lyrically, the song is about a community that was attracted by the dish's aroma made by one of the families in the community, everyone in the community ate a piece of the dish until it was finished. The song is commonly played at weddings was popularized by pop singerHarout Pamboukjian and by a Russian spin-off ofMy Big Fat Greek Wedding namedMy Big Armenian Wedding (Russian:Моя большая армянская свадьба).[1][2]
