Main Course · Dinner · Eastern European ·

Aromatic Armenian Ghapama Stuffed Pumpkin with Sweet Rice Filling

Name: Aromatic Armenian Ghapama Stuffed Pumpkin with Sweet Rice Filling
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 200 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 1 medium pumpkin (about 3-4 kg), top cut and hollowed out; 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 cups uncooked short-grain rice; 1½ cups mixed dried fruits (apricots, raisins, dates), chopped; 1 cup nuts (walnuts, almonds), chopped; 3 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp cinnamon; 1 tsp nutmeg; Salt to taste; ½ cup honey; 2 tbsp melted butter; ½ cup hot water

Ghapama is a traditional Armenian dish where a pumpkin is stuffed with a sweet and spiced rice mixture, making it a unique and flavorful centerpiece for any festive table.

5(292 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 21, 2026

Aromatic Armenian Ghapama Stuffed Pumpkin with Sweet Rice Filling — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

50 min

Cook

2 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Pumpkin

For the Rice Filling

For the Honey Mixture

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 794 kcal
Protein: 11.3 g
Carbs: 146.7 g
Fat: 19.7 g
Fiber: 9.2 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 4765 kcal
Protein: 68 g
Carbs: 880 g
Fat: 118 g
Fiber: 55 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 medium pumpkin (about 3-4 kg), top cut and hollowed out	750	10	180	5	20
1 tbsp vegetable oil	120	0	0	14	0
2 cups uncooked short-grain rice	1440	30	305	2	4
1½ cups mixed dried fruits (apricots, raisins, dates), chopped	720	4	170	2	12
1 cup nuts (walnuts, almonds), chopped	800	24	28	72	14
3 tbsp honey	190	0	51	0	0
1 tbsp cinnamon	18	0	6	0	4
1 tsp nutmeg	12	0	1	1	1
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
½ cup honey	515	0	139	0	0
2 tbsp melted butter	200	0	0	22	0
½ cup hot water	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Pumpkin

1
Preheat Oven
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2
Oil the Pumpkin
Rub the hollowed pumpkin with vegetable oil inside and out.
3
Position on Baking Sheet
Place the pumpkin on a baking sheet.
Tip: Ensure the pumpkin is stable on the baking sheet to prevent tipping during cooking.

Preparing the Rice Filling

1
Rinse Rice
Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
2
Par-cook Rice
Cook the rice in a pot of boiling water for 10 minutes, then drain.
3
Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, chopped dried fruits, nuts, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Tip: Slit the dates open to let the honey soak in during baking.

How to Make Aromatic Armenian Ghapama Stuffed Pumpkin with Sweet Rice Filling

Total time: 3 h 20 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Assembling the Ghapama
Carefully fill the pumpkin with the rice mixture, keeping a headspace of about an inch.
2
Sealing the Pumpkin
Pour the honey mixture over the rice and seal with the pumpkin lid, securing it with toothpicks.
3
Baking the Pumpkin
Place the pumpkin in the oven and bake for 1½ to 2 hours, until the pumpkin is tender.