What is "harissa"

Etymology 1 n. A traditional Armenian dish similar to keşkek; a kind of homogeneous porridge made of previously stewed and boned chicken and coarsely ground soaked wheat. Etymology 2

n. A North African spice mix, containing chillis, garlic and salt, used as both a condiment and an ingredient.

Harissa is an Armenian dish from the Ararat plain. It is a thick porridge made from korkot (dried or roasted cracked wheat) and fat-rich meat, usually chicken or lamb. Herbs were substituted for meat in harissa when Armenian religious days required fasting and penance. The extremely long cooking process is an essential part of the harissa tradition. Like other ritual dishes, the time taken for preparation is part of its cherished value.

Harissa is a Tunisian hot red sauce or paste.

Harissa may also refer to:

• Harissa (dish), an Armenian porridge made of chicken and wheat
• Harissa, Lebanon, a mountain village

Harissa ( | harîsa, from Maghrebi Arabic) is a Maghrebi hot chili pepper paste, the main ingredients of which are roasted red peppers, Baklouti pepper, serrano peppers and other hot chili peppers and spices and herbs such as garlic paste, coriander seed, saffron, rose or caraway as well as some vegetable or olive oil for preservation. It is most closely associated with Tunisia, Libya and Algeria.