
ARMENIA
Filled Pumpkin
80 minutes
4 persons
Average
This stuffed pumpkin, ghapama, has a special meaning in Armenia. The pumpkins symbolize the world, in which the rice symbolizes the population and the dried fruit and nuts symbolize the people of all different nations and races that live on the planet. According to an ancient belief, making ghapama fills the world with peace and kindness.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Oven time: 60-90 minutes
Preparation
Step 1. Prepare the pumpkin
Cut off the top (lid) of the pumpkin. Put the 'lid' aside, you will need it later.
Clean the pumpkin from the inside. Scrape out the seeds and threads with a spoon.
Then thoroughly coat the pumpkin inside and out with the honey.
Then preheat the oven to 160 degrees.
Step 2. Make the filling
Cook the rice according to the instructions on the package until it is almost done and drain.
Chop the almonds, dried dates, apricots, plums and raisins into coarse pieces.
Melt the butter in a pan and add it to the rice mixture together with the chopped nuts and fruits.
Season with salt.
Place the rice mixture into the pumpkin, pour 60 ml of warm water evenly over it and replace the lid of the pumpkin.
Step 3. In the oven
Place the pumpkin in a large baking dish and place it in the preheated oven at 160°C.
Let it cook for 60 to 90 minutes.
Insert a knife into the pumpkin to determine if it is done. When the pumpkin feels soft, remove it from the oven.
Cut it from top to bottom so that the pieces fold out like petals.
Ingredients
For 4 persons:
300 grams of long grain rice
1 pumpkin of about 1-1.5 kilos
3 tbsp honey
50 grams of pitted dates
50 grams of dried apricots
50 grams of dried plums
50 grams of raisins
50 grams of almonds
3 tbsp butter
60ml warm water
Salt to taste
Want to get in the mood? Here a music suggestion!