Armenian pilaf ghapama

8 servings

120 minutes

For a wedding in Armenia, they always prepare ghapama - fruit pilaf in a pumpkin pot. This dish is considered a symbol of abundance, and apples, raisins, dates, and any other dried fruits are added to it. Ghapama is served cut into slices and opened like a flower.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 304.4
• Proteins: 6.2g
• Fats: 14.9g
• Carbohydrates: 43.5g

Ingredients

• Pumpkin: 2 kg
• Almond petals: 50 g
• Basmati rice: 100 g
• Butter: 100 g
• Raisin: 50 g
• Apple: 1 pc
• Dates: 50 g
• Prunes: 50 g
• Honey: to taste
• Salt: to taste

Cooking steps

1. Prepare the necessary ingredients.

2. Boil the washed rice for 4-5 minutes and drain the excess water.

   Required ingredients:

   • Basmati rice: 100 g

3. Roast the almonds in a dry pan until golden, then transfer to a clean dish.

   Required ingredients:

   • Almond petals: 50 g

4. In the same pan, heat 20 grams of butter and sauté the peeled and diced apple with the prepared dried fruits for 2-3 minutes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Butter: 100 g
   • Apple: 1 piece
   • Raisin: 50 g
   • Dates: 50 g
   • Prunes: 50 g

5. Wash the pumpkin, cut off the top, and clean out all the seeds and fibers.

   Required ingredients:

   • Pumpkin: 2 kg

6. Mix the prepared dried fruits, almonds, and rice.

   Required ingredients:

   • Almond petals: 50 g
   • Basmati rice: 100 g
   • Raisin: 50 g
   • Dates: 50 g
   • Prunes: 50 g

7. Add honey and salt to taste.

   Required ingredients:

   • Honey:  to taste
   • Salt:  to taste

8. Transfer the filling into the pumpkin. The filling will increase during cooking, so do not fill the pumpkin to the brim.

   Required ingredients:

   • Pumpkin: 2 kg

9. Place pieces of butter on top and cover with a pumpkin lid.

   Required ingredients:

   • Butter: 100 g

10. Send to the oven preheated to 180 degrees for 1.5 hours.