Copper water bowl - see below for details about the object (Source: Sevan Nazarian collection, Paris)

Agn - Foods

Author: Sonia Tashjian, 02/12/14 (Last modified 02/12/14)- Translator: Hrant Gadarigian

The natural climate of Agn/Eğin (present-day Kemaliye) is temperate. The town, built near the banks of the Euphrates atop a huge cliff face, resembles a fortress with its gardens and houses surrounded with greenery. Off in the distance, on the mountains, are the neighboring villages.

At the center of Agn, the Kadı gölü spring flows from a massive cave. This is how the town of Agn got its name. (Agn, in Armenian means spring/source) Since the town was built in the shape of an amphitheater, the spring’s waters are distributed to all parts of the town via its rivulets and streams. The neighboring villages are also rich in fast-flowing springs. But there was little land to cultivate between the town and its villages. The area was too mountainous and craggy. For centuries, local residents devised a form of terrace farming along the mountain slopes. They’d remove the rocks and gravel and bring in soil from other areas. The entire mountain slope, from the town to the Euphrates, was covered with these gardens.

The town of Agn (Source: H. A. Eprigian, Illustrated indigenous dictionary, Part 1, Venice, St Lazzaro, 1900)

Farming would commence after the great thaw, on the holiday called Karasoun Mangants (Forty Children). Residents believed that the holiday would auger a harvest of both quality and quantity. Workers would be hired to work in the gardens and vineyards. (In the Agn dialect, the word ayki meant both grape vineyards and gardens) They’d remove the debris left by the thaw, prune the vines, and till the garden beds before planting.

Almost all types of fruit flourished in Agn’s temperate climate – grapes, pears, apples, plums, apricots, peaches, cherries, sour cherries, walnuts, hazelnuts, and especially mulberries. There were two types of apricot – bargoug (bitter pit) and ghaysee (sweet pit). The latter was a source of income for residents. There were various varieties of plums – mamokh/mamoukh had ten separate types, one of which, the winter mamokh, ripened in October. There were also several varieties of pears – bal armoudi (honey pear); ichi khara (black inside); and the Kar (stone) pear, which doesn’t ripen but can be eaten in the winter after being canned and kept in the cellar. The grape harvest and grape varieties were plentiful – black, white, yellow, red, table grapes, wine grapes, for raisins, for winter, etc. The southern reaches of Agn (villages on the right bank of the Euphrates) were known for their grape productions. Here was grown the menevshigi (manoushag – violet) variety from which a famous wine is made. The khamlukh and gamaragab varieties could be hung from cellar ceilings and preserved for the entire winter. Mulberries were used instead of sugar. There were many varieties:

  • a) The lor mulberry is juicy and is used to make shira (must). The juice is used to make mulberry merugh (roub – syrup).b) Two seedless varieties – khagig and sheker – are valuable for drying and exporting. They are also canned for winter use.
  • c) The kltig is large like a strawberry.
  • d) A sweet drink (sherbet) is made from the sour khar mulberry. When unripe and red, it turns to a dust when dried and is used as a sour herb in meals. Sweets are also cooked in the mulberry and grape juice. The juices are also distilled to make oghi (grappa/brandy).

The Kaboulian family, Agn, ca 1906. From left to right, Varsenig, Rebecca (nee Demirdjian born in Harput/Kharpert), Eliz (baby, in her mother’s lap), Karekin (standing between Rebecca and Boghos), Haigaz (in front of Karekin), Boghos, and Gabriel (Source: Haigaz and Ute Kaboolian collection)

There is another variety, khoja yemish, with small black and yellow seeds, which ripens with the autumn cold and can only be eaten after the first snowfall. This fruit is the size of a hazelnut and the mouth puckers when eating it.

Almond and walnut trees abound on the mountains. The plentiful harvest was sent to Istanbul. Neighboring Turkish and Kurdish villagers oftentimes targeted the white and oily walnuts with large nuts for looting come harvest time.

Various plants, used in cooking are plentiful on the mountain slopes - peppermint, curcuma, burr chervil, rhubarb, dill, artichoke, etc.

Residents planted whatever was possible and what was needed for daily household use on small plots and in between trees. Many different types of vegetables – tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplants, beans, turnips, cabbages, squash, onions, etc. – were grown this way. Due to the lack of meadows and fields, wheat and other grains, and all other items for winter canning, as well as diary and meat, were either purchased or obtained by barter from neighboring Kurds.

Eggplant, peppers and okra came from Arapgir’s Shikar valley. Potatoes, onions, turnips, carrots, beets, squash, etc. came from the villages of the Upper Mountain. Kurdish women picked plants, mushrooms, sorrel, louidj (type of beet leaf), etc. Wheat was brought from Sivas/Sepasdia.

The common bread of Agn is called loshig – with large, wide, thin and flat layers. After kneading the dough, the women bake the bread in ovens, and then dry it for keeping in the cellar. For eating, the bread is wetted. Various breads are also baked for special occasions. Badjoug is a dry pastry made of fat and flour baked in the size of a nshkhar (small consecrated round bread). It is stamped with flower-like designs and is sent as an invitation to a wedding. Lolig, is a small bread. Klrdig is bread made of semolina (fine cracked wheat, irmik) for children. There’s djoudjoug, another bread for kids made of fat and made into different shapes. Glodj is unleavened bread made of vegetable oil for Lent.

After boiling and drying, the wheat is taken to the mill where it is made into coarse bulghur for pilav; medium for balls (gololag); and fine (srmouk) for soups. There is also a flour-like bulghur mixed with bran called dznig (semolina, irmik).

A dish called tarkhana was made in the summer with the bulghur. Once dried, it can be preserved in the cellar. Agn was known for three types of tarkhana.

1. Tahneh tarkhana – made of milled bulghur and tahn (yogurt + water)

2. Chreh tarkhana – made of bulghur and water (eaten during Lent)

3. Shira tarkhana – made of bulghur and grape juice

A dish called khavourma (kavurma) was made from meat. Small pieces of meat are first boiled and then fried in fat. It is preserved in the same fat. Agn residents had a special kind of spiced meat called geode, made without çemen (fenugreek).

Cucumbers, grape leaves and various vegetables were pickled in earthen pots. Cheese was also kept in these vessels. A dairy product called chokalig, curds made from milk or than (yogurt + water), was also prepared. Whisking the madzoun (yogurt), the fat rises to the surface. The fat would be skimmed off and made into balls as butter. There was another type of cheese called ouli banir (young goat cheese), which was without salt. Chortan was made by squeezing the tahn or madzoun into balls and then drying them under the intense summer sun.

Roub (shirig – syrup) was made from the juice squeezed from mulberries and grapes. Various fruits would be cooked in the syrup to make rechel (sweets). They also made plit - starch cooked in grape syrup that was cut and dried. Two other sweets were basdegh and sharots.

Wine was prepared for the winter. A distilled spirit – kamchour - was also made and jokingly called ‘white water’.

Agn/Eğin. The Papazian family (Source: Papazian family collection, Beirut. Courtesy of Dzovig Torikian)

Shiligon/Chiligon (Pacha)

This dish was made by cleaning the shanks and feet of cows. They would be cooked overnight in large pots of water. The scum is constantly removed. A large table is prepared in the morning. The dish, both broth and pieces of meat, are served on abundant bread. Crushed garlic and red pepper are added.

Khorvou

Agn residents had a tradition where a young goat or lamb was butchered on the day before the holiday of Asdvadzadzin (Holy Mother of God). The animal would be hung in a tonir (underground clay oven). Underneath would be placed a large vessel full of coarse bulghur and water. The mouth of the oven would be closed with a special lid and the edges covered with mud. After a few hours the mud would begin to crack meaning that the dish was ready.

*****

Agn cuisine has three types of bread delicacies:

Bread with egg

1 bread
2 eggs
2 tablespoons fat
Honey

Separate bread into layers, dip into beaten eggs, and fry in hot fat. Serve with honey dribbled on top.

Bread with walnuts

1 bread in layers
½ cup of ground walnuts
Honey

Brush water on bread. Then dip in walnuts and heat in oven. Dribble honey on top and serve.

Dzahin hats

Dried thyme
Dried basil
Dried fenugreek leaves
Toasted sesame seeds
Red pepper
Salt

Pulverize all the herbs. Mix in red pepper, sesame seeds and salt. Can in jars with lids. Before eating, pour some oil on the mixture, spread on bread and enjoy.

Anoushabour

This savory dish is prepared during Easter with a sweet tarkhana made from grape syrup.

1 cup coarse bulghur
3 cups water
1 cup chopped dried fruit
1 cup chopped walnuts
½ cup grape syrup
1 teaspoon anisette or cinnamon

Boil the bulghur with the chopped fruit and walnuts. Add the syrup. Boil a few more minutes and let cool.

Gatnabour

Eaten by crumbling bread into boiled milk.

*****

There are many savory and semi-liquid porridges, often served with oil and syrup, eaten daily in Agn.

Gatnov (soup with milk or rice pudding)

1 cup rice
6 cups milk
½ cup sugar

Cook the milk and rice on a low flame until the liquid is absorbed and the rice melts. Add the sugar and cook a bit more. Serve with cinnamon powder.

Lantag

1 cup rice [or bulghur or dzedzadz – boiled and de-husked wheat]
4 cups water
½ cup flour
Fat *
Syrup

Boil the grains. Add the flour dissolved in water and bring to a boil. Serve with fat and syrup. (*During Lent use chopped walnuts instead of fat)

Malez

(1st variation)
1 cup flour
4 cups water
2 tablespoons fat
Mulberry or grape syrup

Dissolve flour in water and boil while stirring constantly. Add the fat and let boil for several minutes more. Serve hot and dribble with syrup.

(2nd variation)

½ cup mulberry or grape syrup
½ cup flour
3 cups water
2 tablespoons fat

Dissolve syrup in boiling water. Work the flour with cold water and pour syrup on top. Continue to cook for a few minutes.

Malezabour

1 cup coarse bulghur
½ cup flour
2 tablespoons fat
Salt

First roast the flour in fat and set aside. Boil the bulghur in plenty of water. Then mix the flour and boiled bulghur.

Khavidz

½ cup flour
2 ½-3 cups water
Salt
Fat & syrup

Roast the flour on low flame. Stir constantly until the color turns golden. Slowly add boiling water, stirring constantly. Add the salt and remove from flame. Cover the lid and let rest several minutes. Make a small circular indentation and pour oil and syrup.

Dznig

Made with flour resembling ground bran

1 cup fine semolina
5 cups water
2 tablespoons fat
Salt

Cook semolina in water. Stir constantly until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add the fat.

Srmouk

Made from the finest bulghur

1 cup fine bulghur
3 cups water
½ cup flour
1 tablespoon fat
Red & black pepper
Salt

Toast the bulghur in fat. Add water and spices. Then add flour refined in water and cook until it reaches gruel like consistency.

Dill Soup

1 cup coarse ground corn
1 tablespoon fat
Salt

Cook corn in boiling water until gruel like. Serve with fat on top.

Holiday dishes include harissa, dolma, kaladjosh, hardala, kntig, etc.

Keshgeg (Harisa)

1 portion rooster meat
1 kilo dzedzadz – boiled and de-husked wheat
Salt

Boil the rooster (or chicken). Remove meat from bones. Then first add soaked dzedzadz and cook over low flame. When the grains have expanded mash with wooden spoon until consistent.

Kaladjosh (Kaladjash)

1 liter yogurt
1 tablespoon flour
1 egg
2 onions
2 tablespoons fat
½ cup walnuts
1 tablespoon mint
Salt

Beat the yogurt, flour and egg together; then boil. Chop the onions and blanch in fat. Add this to yogurt mixture. Then add walnuts and mint. Mix and let mixture cook a few minutes more. Serve with dried bread or lavash.

Hardala

300 grams meat
1 cup chickpeas
2 onions
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons fat
Red & black pepper
Cumin
Dried greens

Prepare meat into cubes and boil with pre-soaked chickpeas. Add rest of ingredients and cook.

Kntig

½ kilo tenderized meat
½ kilo fine bulghur
Red & black pepper
Salt

Mix and knead the meat and bulghur with wet fingers. Prepare the mixture into walnut-sized balls which are then boiled in a soup made of tahn (yogurt + water).

Dolma

Dolma with meat is prepared for holidays. Otherwise fat is substituted for meat. For Lent, oil and walnuts are used.

The mixture is wrapped in grape leaves pre-soaked in salt. Other vegetables are stuffed in summer. In winter, the dried innards of eggplant, squash and peppers are used.

½ kilo finely chopped or ground fatty meat
2 cups coarse bulghur
2 soupspoons tomato paste
2 onions
Greens
Red & black pepper
Citron
Mint
Salt

Add the bulghur to meat, diluted tomato paste, chopped onions and greens. Knead and add spices. Wrap in leaves of stuff in vegetables.

*****

Fish are brought from neighboring lakes and rivers. It’s either grilled or dipped in egg and fried in vegetable oil/fat.

There are also a number of very watery soups in which dried bread is crumbled and eaten.

Chlbour

1 cup dzedzadz
2 tomatoes
2 eggs
200 grams cheese
2 tablespoons fat
Greens
Red & black pepper
Salt

Boil dzedzadz. Add fat, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese and spices. Beat eggs and add atop soup. Before removing from flame, add chopped greens.

Shourva

2 eggs
1 tablespoon fat
200 grams cheese
Several scallion stalks
Black pepper

Add shredded cheese and fat to boiling water. When cheese melts and water turns white add beaten eggs. Before removing from flame, add chopped scallions.

Vrig

A non-fat soup – just boiled dzedzadz. It’s sometimes called khashou.

Chrvra/Chrvla

2 onions
2 eggs
2 tablespoons fat
Red pepper
Salt
Bread

Slice onions and sauté. Adds lots of water, add spices. Add beaten eggs atop and serve with old bread.

Chortan Soup

1 liter yogurt
1 liter water
1 egg
1 tablespoon flour
2 tablespoons fat
2 onions
Mint
Salt
Lavash bread

Whisk yogurt with water. Add egg and flour. Boil. Chop onions and fry in fat. Add mint. To serve, pour hot tahn on lavash bread followed by onions.

Ttou Soup

This soup is prepared on Maundy Thursday. No fat is used. It contains vinegar, in memory of the fact that Christ, while crucified on the cross, was given vinegar instead of water to drink.

1 cup coarse bulghur
½ cup louidj (type of beet leaf)
Red & black pepper
Mint
Vinegar
Salt

Boil the greens, add the bulghur, spices, and serve with vinegar.

Tarkhenkhash

½ kilo turnips
½ kilo squash
2 onions
2 tablespoons salt
1 cup coarse bulghur
½ liter yogurt
1 egg
1 tablespoon flour
Mint
Red & black pepper
Salt

Mix the yogurt, add the egg and flour, and then boil. Slice and boil the squash and turnips, then add over yogurt. Chop onions and fry in fat. Add to the soup. Add spices and boil for five minutes.

*****

Here’s a variety of delicious pilav dishes:

Coarse Pilav

1 cup coarse bulghur
2 cups water
A tablespoon fat
1 onion
Red pepper
Mint
Salt

Finely slice onion and fry in fat. Add the bulghur and spices, then water and cook on low flame until liquid has been absorbed.

Pilav with kavurma

100 grams kavurma (with fat)
1 cup coarse bulghur
1 onion
Red pepper
Salt

Cut onion into layers and fry with meat. Add bulghur, then water and spice. Cook on low flame until liquid has been absorbed.

Seperdoug

1 cup rice
2 cups water
½ cup vermicelli
1 tablespoon fat
Salt

Sauté vermicelli. Add rice and brown a bit. Then add water and cook over low flame until liquid is absorbed.

*****

There are two recipes salads prepared with yogurt:

Borani

½ kilo squash
1 liter yogurt
Mint powder
Salt

Slice and boil squash and let cool. Then add yogurt, salt and mint.

Djadjig

1 liter yogurt
1 cup water
2 cucumbers
2 garlic cloves
½ cup chopped walnuts and hazelnuts
Greens
Salt

Dilute yogurt with water. Add sliced cucumbers, greens, garlic and nuts. Serve with dry bread.

*****

Various nutritious egg dishes:

Omelet (Djelempour)

3 eggs
1 tablespoon fat
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon honey or syrup
Salt

Heat fat and add flour beaten with eggs. First cook on one side, then the other. Serve with honey/syrup dribbled on top.

Mkhlou

1 tablespoon fat
2 eggs
Salt

Heat fat. Crack eggs and cook so that yolks remain intact.

Yegh and Meghr

This is prepared when a groom visits his father-in-law for the first time, or when a child is presented to the godfather when he comes to visit. It’s also served to esteem guests.

4 eggs
1 tablespoon fat
1 tablespoon honey
Salt

Fry beaten eggs in fat. Cook both sides and serve with honey.

Fried Basdegh

200 grams basdegh (dried fruit roll)
2 eggs
1tablespoon fat
Salt

Slice basdegh and fry in fat. Pour beaten eggs on top and serve partially cooked.

Sautéed Spinach

½ kilo spinach
1 onion
2 tablespoons fat
2 eggs
Red & black pepper
Salt

Slice onion and sauté in fat. Season and add sliced spinach. Steam on low heat. Then add beaten eggs and mix.

Sautéed Squash

½ kilo squash
2 tablespoons fat
2 eggs
Red & black pepper
Salt

Slice and sauté squash. Add beaten eggs. Season and serve.

Helvah

1 cup flour
½ cup fat
½ cup powdered sugar, syrup or honey

Brown flour on low heat. Add fat and stir until they meld. Remove from heat and mix in sweets. Immediately pour into serving dish, flatten and slice.

Rechel

1 kilo squash
2 cups syrup
3 cups water

Cut squash into little cubes. Soak in limewater 1-2 hours then wash in cold water. Mix water and syrup. After coming to a boil, add squash and cook in several stages (boil for 5 minutes, let cool. Repeat process a few times)
*People would also cook figs, quince, plums and apricots in that syrupy water.

*****

The custom of Agn was to also make sweets from a type of forest rose called govou vart (cow rose). Rose water and oil was made from the kharefil rose variety.

Agn Armenians employed a number of unique names in their cuisine culture. Here are a few examples:

Koush- basin
Koushtas – deep ladle
Ttmang - jar made from squash
Zarmagh – bulghur sieve
Tsarmagh – flour sieve
Ekhal – jug for fat and cheese  
Tatig – long kitchen utensil for stirring food or a hook to remove cauldron from tonir oven
Khalgin – cauldron

Bibliography

Hovsep K. Djanigian, Հնութիւնք Ակնայ [Agn Relics], Tbilisi, M. D. Rotiniants Press, 1895, 500, 6pp., continuation: Շար Ակնայ Ժողովրդական Երգերի [List of Popular Agn Songs], recorded by Gomidas Vartabed, published by Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin, 1895, 16pp.

Arakel Kechian and Mgrdich Barsamian, Ակն եւ Ակնցիք [Agn and its Residents] Paris, 1952, 814 pp. and “Appendix”: “Dictionary of the Agn Dialect, Old Manuscripts of Agn and Surroundings, Monks and Known Pilgrims, Amiras”, 231pp.