Ghivetch facts for kids

Ghivetch is a yummy and traditional vegetable stew. It comes from the Balkan region, especially Romania and Bulgaria. In Romania, it's even considered a national dish! This stew is usually cooked in a special clay pot called a güveç. While it's often packed with vegetables, some recipes also add meat, fish, or chicken. People have called Ghivetch "one of the world's great vegetable mixes."

Where Does Ghivetch Come From?

Ghivetch is a popular dish across the Balkans. It is a traditional autumn vegetable stew. It is most famous in Romania and Bulgaria. In Romania, it is known as ghiveci and is a national dish.

What's in Ghivetch?

Ghivetch is usually made with lots of different vegetables. Sometimes, a recipe can have as many as 40 kinds! But you can also find versions with meat, fish, chicken, or even dairy products.

Some traditional recipes for Ghivetch include ingredients that give it a slightly sour taste. This might come from things like grape leaves or a special "sour salt." Paprika, which can be hot or sweet, is also a common ingredient.

How to Make and Serve Ghivetch

Ghivetch is traditionally cooked in a special clay pot. This pot is called a güveç (or duvech, or gyuvech). In Greece, a similar pot is called a yiouvetsi. People love these pots because they give the stew a wonderful earthy taste and smell.

Long ago, people would prepare the dish at home. Then, they would take their pot to a local bakery. A delivery boy would then bring the cooked stew back to them! Today, trucks usually do the deliveries. Some special bakeries will even prepare the Ghivetch for you. You just order it and return the empty pot later.

You can enjoy Ghivetch either hot or cold. Sometimes, it is even blended into a smooth puree. It's often served with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt on top.

Why Ghivetch is Special

Many people think Ghivetch is a truly amazing dish. In 1985, The Washington Post newspaper called it "one of the world's great vegetable mixes." They put it in the same group as other famous stews like Buddha's delight, ratatouille, and moussaka. Another expert called it "really the last word in vegetable stews." It was even included in a book called 1000 Foods to Eat Before You Die.

Dishes Like Ghivetch

Related Dishes

• Giouvetsi
• Karides güveç
• Türlü güveç

Other Mixed-Vegetable Dishes

• Buddha's delight
• Lecsó
• Leipziger allerlei
• Locro de choclo
• Maque choux
• Moussaka
• Succotash
• Ratatouille

See also

In Spanish: Đuveč para niños