Gheimeh

Gheimeh
Gheimeh stew
Alternative namesGheimeh, ghaymeh, qeimeh, qaymeh
TypeStew
CourseMain dish
Place of origin Iran (Ancient Persia)
Region or stateFars, Ardabil, Qazvin, Bushahr, Kashan
Associated cuisineIranian cuisine
Created byPersians
Main ingredientslamb, tomatoes, yellow split peas, onion, dried lime
  •  Wikimedia Commons logo Media: Gheimeh

Gheimeh, also spelled as gheymeh, or qeimeh (Persian: قیمه) is an Iranian stew (khoresh) consisting of diced mutton, tomatoes, split peas, onion, and dried lime, garnished with golden, thinly sliced crispy potatoes. The stew is sometimes garnished with fried eggplant and is usually served with white Persian rice (polow).

Etymology

The Persian word gheimeh (also transliterated as qeimeh) derives from Classical Persian qeema, which comes from a Turkic word qıyma 'minced meat', like the Urdu qīmā/ keema, Turkish kıyma, and Greek kimás.

Iraqi variant

In Iraq, especially in the Shi’a holy cities of Najaf and Karbala, the Persian stew khoresh-e gheimeh (qeema) has become a beloved part of local cuisine, largely through the Iranian pilgrims visiting the cities. For centuries, Iranian pilgrims have traveled to these cities for ziyarat, especially during major events like Arba’een. They brought their culinary traditions—including gheimeh, a hearty Persian stew made with split peas, tomato, sun-dried Persian lime, and meat, often topped with fried potatoes. Over time, Iraqis adopted and adapted the dish, incorporating it into religious gatherings and communal meals, particularly during Muharram. Today, gheimeh is commonly served at mawakib (free food stands) during pilgrimage events. It can also eaten on Easter, Christmas, funerals and weddings.

Iranian variants

See also

References

  1. ↑ Shaida, Margaret (2018-04-10). The Legendary Cuisine of Persia. Grub Street Publishers. ISBN 978-1-911621-59-1.
  2. ↑ Platts, John (1884). A Dictionary of Urdu, Classical Hindi, and English. London: W. H. Allen & Co. p. 797. ISBN 81-215-0098-2. Archived from the original on 2020-09-13. Retrieved 2018-05-06. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  3. ↑ Oxford English Dictionary, s.v.
  4. ↑ Shaida, Margaret (2018). The Legendary Cuisine of Persia. Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-911621-59-1.
  5. ↑ Shaida, Margaret (2018). The Legendary Cuisine of Persia. Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-911621-59-1.
  6. ↑ Shaida, Margaret (2018). The Legendary Cuisine of Persia. Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-911621-59-1.
  7. ↑ Shaida, Margaret (2018). The Legendary Cuisine of Persia. Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-911621-59-1.
  8. ↑ Shaida, Margaret (2018). The Legendary Cuisine of Persia. Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-911621-59-1.
  9. ↑ Shaida, Margaret (2018). The Legendary Cuisine of Persia. Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-911621-59-1.
  10. ↑ Shaida, Margaret (2018). The Legendary Cuisine of Persia. Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-911621-59-1.
  11. ↑ Shaida, Margaret (2018). The Legendary Cuisine of Persia. Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-911621-59-1.
  12. ↑ Shaida, Margaret (2018). The Legendary Cuisine of Persia. Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-911621-59-1.
  13. ↑ Shaida, Margaret (2018). The Legendary Cuisine of Persia. Grub Street. ISBN 978-1-911621-59-1.