Gata ( hy, գաթա) is an Armenian pastry or sweet bread. There are many variations of gata in Armenia. Typically, specific towns or regions will have their own version. It can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes and may be decorated or left unadorned. Long ago, gata was baked in a
tonir, but it is now baked in ovens. The bread is traditionally eaten at the feast of
Candlemas, but is eaten during other festivities too or simply baked to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.
One popular variety is gata with ''koritz'' (''khoriz''), a filling that consists of
flour,
butter
Butter is a dairy product made from the fat and protein components of churned cream. It is a semi-solid emulsion at room temperature, consisting of approximately 80% butterfat. It is used at room temperature as a spread, melted as a condimen ...
and
sugar. Gata can have other fillings such as nuts, most commonly walnuts.
Some variations include placing a coin inside the dough before the gata is baked, and it is said that whoever receives the piece with the coin is to be blessed with good fortune. Gata from the villages of
Garni
Garni ( hy, Գառնի), is a major village in the Kotayk Province of Armenia. It is known for the nearby classical temple. As of the 2011 census, the population of the village is 6,910.
History
The settlement has an ancient history, and is b ...
and
Geghard
Geghard ( hy, Գեղարդ, meaning "spear") is a medieval monastery in the Kotayk province of Armenia, being partially carved out of the adjacent mountain, surrounded by cliffs. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with enhanced protec ...
are decorated (before baking), round, and generally about a foot in diameter. Around the southern edge of
Lake Sevan
Lake Sevan ( hy, Սևանա լիճ, Sevana lich) is the largest body of water in both Armenia and the Caucasus region. It is one of the largest freshwater high-altitude (alpine) lakes in Eurasia. The lake is situated in Gegharkunik Province, ...
, in the town of
Tsovinar, gata is denser and sweeter, and baked without ''koritz'' in a triangular shape without decoration.
See also
*
Nazook
Nazook (also spelled nazuk or nazouk, Armenian ''Նազուկ'') is the name of an Armenian pastry made from flour, butter, sugar, sour cream, yeast, vanilla extract and eggs, with a filling often made with nuts, and especially walnuts. Nazook ...
References
{{Cuisine of Armenia
Armenian breads
Sweet breads
Armenian pastries