I started writing a ghapama blog item several months ago, but ended up putting the story on the back burner when I realized I wouldn’t have time to prepare it.
Then, a few days ago, completely out of the blue, I received a request for a ghapama recipe by a very talented children’s book author and illustrator, Alik Arzoumanian. Alik is working on a project related to ghapama and was in need of a recipe as part of her research. I was happy to oblige, and in doing so, I figured, I’d post the story and recipe even though it’s somewhat out of ghapama season – at least in South Florida. In Armenian, the word ‘Ghapama’ literally means cooked in a covered pot. Recipe-wise, ghapama is a stuffed, baked pumpkin traditionally served between the New Year and Armenian Christmas which Armenians celebrate on January 6th.
NOTE: Sometimes ghapama is made with a winter squash such as the acorn squash variety rather than pumpkin. To make ghapama, a medium sized pumpkin (about 3 lbs. in weight) is cut open at the top, then the fibrous strands and seeds are scooped out. Generally, a stuffing made with partially cooked rice, dried fruit, raisins, chopped nuts, cinnamon, sugar or honey is placed in the cavity. The filled pumpkin is baked until tender and served table-side.
I was reminded by my friend Ara that there is a traditional song re-popularized by Harout Pamboukjian about this wonderful Armenian dish. “Hey Jan Ghapama, Hamov Hodov Ghapama”, meaning ‘Dear Ghapama, tasty, aromatic ghapama’. Ara went on to say the lyrics claim that over 100 guests will come if (ghapama) is ever made.
A more formal, yet fun, rendition of the ghapama song was performed by the KOHAR Symphony Orchestra and Choir of Gyumri, Armenia.
NOTE: Christine Datian of The Armenian Mirror-Spectator submitted an article called “The Original Ghapama Recipe” from Lucy Joulfayan-Yeghyayan on November 29, 2018 which can be found by clicking here.
In addition, Christine posted an article in The Armenian Mirror-Spectator combining both stories. Click here to read.
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I'm glad you mentioned the song. It is my favorite Harout song. It says stays that everyone from aunts and uncles, godparents, inlaws, neighbors, and all those near and far came to eat the ghapama
Thank you so much for the great idea and recipe. That is great.
Glad you like it, Sonia!
Funny how I was looking for ghapama recipe and ended up finding my childhood and best friend's name in your site (Alik Arzoumanian)......
Thank you to you both for the recipe ;-)
Naïri
Thankyou for the Recipe! What kind of rice would be the best?
What kind of pumpkins are good for ghapama? Are halloween pumpkins edible? Would they be good for ghapama?
Halloween pumkins are good and certainly edible. You can use other types of squash, too. Use white rice of any variety that you're comfortable cooking.
Hey JAN ghapama! Hamov, Hotov Ghapama!!
we ate this for thanksgiving this year, it was awesome!!
Georgette ...ian.
I can't wait to make this!
Just a minor correction in Armenia Ghapama was made in Harvest time and this was one of the beautiful traditions of celebrating harvest and welcoming Autumn
This sounds delicious, but I think the flavors would be greatly enhanced by some salt, at least in the filling.
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The recipe does call for a 'dash' of salt.