Armenia: Project

Armenian traditional dishes

Armenian cuisine is a perfect example of how history influences the culinary traditions of any land. The cuisine is rich in vegetables, meat, and fish. There are many traditional dishes and they have their own story and traditions. I have collected some dishes that you should try at least once if you have visited Armenia.

Khorovats

The word khorovats in Armenian means grilled meats or barbecue. A common khorovats is chunks of bone-in meat grilled on a skewer. The dish can be made either with lamb or pork. Thoroughly delicious, the taste depends on the grilling process to a great extent. Enjoy the scrumptious barbecue, especially during the annual Khorovats festival.

Ghapama

Often prepared around Christmastime, ghapama is a stuffed pumpkin dish. The guts of the pumpkin are removed, and then it is stuffed with boiled rice and dried fruits like apple, apricot, dates, plums, and raisins together with nuts. The pumpkin is baked until it softens.

Khash

The dish is made from a boiled sheep’s or cow’s parts that include the feet and/or head. Some use the other parts of the cow, like tripe and brain, in the recipe.

Harissa

Harissa is a thick porridge made from roasted or dried cracked wheat and fatty meat (lamb or chicken). The key to creating a tasty harissa lies in its long preparation process. A soup consisting of sheep or cow’s feet with garlic, vinegar, salt, and lemon juice. Like any other soup, it is served hot, sometimes along with pickles or lavash. Usually enjoyed during a cold morning, this soup is good for a hangover. Traditionally, there is an annual party dedicated and based on consuming khash, interestingly, with alcohol.

Tabbouleh

Salad made of burglar, mint, onions, and tomatoes with sprinkles of salts, drizzles of lemon juice, and olive oil. Inspired by Middle Eastern recipes, this dish is famous, not only for its unique taste but also for its rich history. In Arabian countries, consuming this salad is known to be in practice since the medieval period. Get the same vibe after all these centuries simply with tabbouleh.

Armenian Garden Salad

Tomatoes, basil, parsley, cucumber, romaine are assembled with a dressing of salt, lemon juice, wine, vinegar, and olive oil. It’s fresh, healthy, and definitely out of the world. If you are planning to eat out in a traditional Armenian restaurant, order this salad preparation and get hooked to it once you get to taste it.

Gata

This is a typical Armenian pastry, very common across the country. Each region or town has its own variety of gata, making it in a diversity of sizes, shapes, and decorations. A sweet bread made of flour, nuts, and baking soda as the main ingredients. Known as kada or katah apart from gata, this is a perfect pastry recipe to drool over. Its sweet and exotic taste has made it a must-have item in any traditional Armenian event