Traditional Ukrainian Christmas Foods: Celebrating with Flavor and Heritage
Ukrainians celebrate Christmas as per the Julian calendar on January 7th. The tradition of Christmas dinner is pretty intriguing, as it consists of twelve meatless dishes that symbolize twelve apostles. The dinner starts when the first star pops up in the night sky, marking the arrival of Christmas and the birth of Christ. It is a tradition to serve a real feast for this magical moment, so here are signature food recipes for Ukrainian Christmas.
Kutya -Sweet Wheat Pudding
If you needed to choose the most important dish Ukrainians make for Christmas, it would definitely be kutya. It has great symbolic importance, representing prosperity and unity, so it is an inevitable part of Christmas dinner. You can make this sweet, unique, earthy dish with wheat grains, poppy seeds, honey, nuts, and dried fruits.
Broscht Soup – Beet Soup
This soup has a rather specific flavor and interesting looks, as it comes in a vibrant, deep red shade. It will leave a complex taste on your palate, and you will definitely need a moment to specify the flavors when you try it for the first time. It ranges from sweet and earthy to tangy and savory, depending on the ingredient combo. Traditionally, for Christmas, borscht doesn’t call for meat, but you can definitely add some beef if you like to.
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Varenyky – Ukrainian Dumplings
Varenyky are a staple in Ukrainian cuisine because of their homey, comforting taste, so it is only logical thing to prepare them for Christmas, too. These boiled dumplings come in a variety of flavors, from classic mushroom over sauerkraut to fruit varenyky. I chose this recipe with potatoes because it pairs with borscht impeccably, so don’t separate this duo!
Holubtsi – Ukrainian Stuffed Cabbage
There are many recipes for stuffed cabbage, and this is a Ukrainian take on this fantastic dish. This recipe requires bulgur wheat, but you can definitely opt for beef, pork, or a blend instead. Cabbage rolls have a melt-in-mouth texture, especially because of the amazing tomato-based sauce they are submerged in. Don’t forget sour cream on top for a perfect bite!
Pampushky – Ukrainian Sweet Donuts
These traditional soft and fluffy buns are a must-try! They can be savory or sweet; thus, I chose this sweet recipe for the list because I love them more. Ukrainians usually fill them with poppyseed blend or jam and dust them with powdered sugar just before serving. I love the recipe for poppy filling because it includes raisins as well!
Uzvar – Ukrainian Christmas Drink
Ukrainian compote is just next level! Ukrainians typically serve it during the Christmas holidays, as it gives a special, wintery note. To make this gem, you need to simmer dried fruits slowly to extract their natural sweetness and flavors. If you want to boost the sweetness, add some honey or sugar, but it is not necessary, as the fruit assortment is sugary itself – prunes, dried apples, apricots, raisins, and cinnamon are winter in a cup!
Herring Shuba Salad – Ukrainian Fish Salad
Shuba salad is most definitely not your classic salad, as it has clearly defined layers, and you can cut it out as a piece of cake. Its name actually symbolizes winter coats in the Slavic part of the world, so it is a logical choice to serve for Christmas dinner. The base layer is diced salty herring, then come layers of veggies: onions, potatoes, carrots, plus mayonnaise. The finishing touch is a pinkish-red top layer made with beet.
Kapusta – Sauerkraut Stir-Fry
This is the ultimate winter dish in Eastern Europe, and, generally, people love it or hate it – there is no between. The base ingredient is sauerkraut, and everything else is just an addition that varies from place to place. Some add sausages, smoked pork, or beef, while others go for a vegetarian option like this recipe. The blend of pickled cabbage and mushrooms is the perfect dish for Christmas, as Ukrainians don’t eat meat on this sacred day.
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Knyshy – Mini Pie Buns
These tiny buns will definitely bring Christmas joy to your table! The first thing you need to do is knead a stretchy dough, which is easier than it sounds – the secret is in a tablespoon of vinegar (but you didn’t hear it from me!). This recipe comes with potato filling, but you can go with cheese, spinach, or even pumpkin. Check it out!
Ukrainian Red Fish is Tomato Sauce
Fish is almost exclusively the centerpiece of Christmas dinner, as that’s the only meat allowed on this day. There are numerous traditional recipes, as every family has its own take on the main dish. I chose this classic – fish in tangy-sweet tomato sauce with a perfect, creamy texture. I’m a sucker for fish in the sauce as you get to dip it with a homemade loaf of bread!
Kolach – Ukrainian Christmas Bread
When it comes to Ukrainians and their culinary and holiday traditions, one thing is clear – they love bread! This one has the simplest ingredient list, but the secret is in kneading. It comes out cloudy, soft, with a nice crisp, and incredibly decorative. Yum!
Khrustyky – Fried Christmas Cookies
If you’re already making fruit compote – uzvar, don’t skip these cookies, as they are the perfect duo. For this Ukrainian gem, you’ll need vanilla-infused thinly-rolled dough, then cut out the pieces and deep fry them to get crispy, light, and aromatic “cookies.” Dust them with powdered sugar for a final touch!
Chefs, a big thank you for sharing your fantastic recipes and pieces of tradition with us!
