“The St. Leon Armenian Church Women’s Guild Cookbook in Fairlawn, NJ, features a peanut butter kufteh recipe submitted by the late Anne Marootian who said that the recipe was handed down to her from her beloved and talented mother, Aghavni Marookian, a native of Kharpert,” says Robyn Kalajian, a retired culinary teacher and chief cook at The Armenian Kitchen.com.
Robyn adds, “The Marootian family and my family (the Dabbakians) go way back — I’m talking decades. We were neighbors in Clifton, NJ for approximately 40 years, and attended every church event together for years beyond that. Whenever the Marootians invited us for an impromptu get-together, Anne was sure to serve a tableful of delicious desserts that she quickly whipped-up. Not only was Anne a terrific cook, she told some pretty funny jokes, too.”
“Anne, born in New York City on July 9, 1915 to Armenian immigrant parents, passed away on November 20, 2012 at the age of 97. She married Zaven Marootian in 1938 and together raised 3 wonderful sons. Anne and Zaven owned and operated Zaven’s Luncheonette in Paterson, NJ, where she was the chief cook and bookkeeper, and later was bookkeeper in Marootian Trading Corporation. The family moved to Clifton in 1959. Anne and Zaven were both very active parishioners in St. Leon Armenian Church in Fair Lawn, where Anne was a noted cook of Armenian cuisine. She headed the Food Committee for food festivals and social functions. Anne was known for her delightful hospitality, generosity, joyful spirit and sense of humor.”
“I’m always intrigued by a family recipe’s history, and when I found this one, it conjured up old memories of my youth back in New Jersey during the 1950s and 1960s. I walked past the Marootian’s house on my way home from elementary and junior high school each day, and often recall being greeted on occasion by the elder Mrs. Marookian with a warm smile and a gentle wave. Here’s Anne and her mother’s special Peanut Butter Kufteh recipe that I have cherished for many years. It is delicious and never fails to impress our family and guests at Lent and throughout the year…”
Filling ingredients:
21 oz. chunky peanut butter (3/4 of a 24-oz. jar)
