Mshosh

Name: Mshosh
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: Armenian
Ingredients: 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed; 2 large onions, thinly sliced; 1 cup dried plums (prunes) or dried apricots, roughly chopped; 4 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil; 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional); Salt and black pepper to taste; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 3 cups water or vegetable broth; 1 tablespoon lemon juice or pomegranate molasses, to finish

Մշոշ/muh-SHOSH/

About this dish

Mshosh is a traditional Armenian dish made from dried fruits and legumes, most commonly featuring fried onions, lentils, and dried plums or apricots, resulting in a sweet-savory combination that is hearty and distinctive. It is often served as a side dish or appetizer and is particularly associated with fasting traditions in Armenian culture.

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Ingredients

🫘1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed

🧅2 large onions, thinly sliced

🫙1 cup dried plums (prunes) or dried apricots, roughly chopped

🫒4 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil

🧄2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)

🧂Salt and black pepper to taste

🌿1 teaspoon ground cumin

💧3 cups water or vegetable broth

🍋1 tablespoon lemon juice or pomegranate molasses, to finish

Method

Serves 3

Place the rinsed lentils in a saucepan with the water or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes until the lentils are tender but still holding their shape. Drain any excess liquid and set aside.

While the lentils cook, heat the oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 20–30 minutes until they are deeply golden and caramelized.

Add the chopped dried fruit to the onions in the pan and stir to combine. Cook together for a further 3–4 minutes so the fruit softens slightly and absorbs some of the onion-flavored oil.

Add the garlic (if using) and ground cumin to the pan and cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

Add the cooked lentils to the pan and gently stir everything together. Season generously with salt and black pepper.

Stir in the lemon juice or pomegranate molasses to add brightness and balance the sweetness of the dried fruit.

Allow the mixture to cook together over low heat for a further 5 minutes so the flavors meld. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Serve warm or at room temperature as a side dish or appetizer, optionally garnished with fresh herbs such as parsley.

✓ What Makes it Authentic

Mshosh is well established in Armenian culinary tradition and is commonly prepared during Lent and other fasting periods observed in the Armenian Apostolic Church, when meat is avoided. The dish reflects the broader Armenian tradition of using dried fruits alongside legumes to create satisfying, plant-based meals. It is found in both Armenia and diaspora Armenian communities around the world.

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