Traditions
Twelve meatless dishes are traditionally prepared for Свята Вечеря (“Sviata Vecheria”) – Holy Supper. It represents the 12 months of the year as well as the 12 apostles of Christ. There can be different variations or substitutions; here are a few examples of the traditional meatless dishes (excluding fish).
Кутя – Kutya
Kutya is a sweet dish made from wheat or any grain, honey, poppyseeds, which may also include nuts or raisins. It is the first dish always served at Christmas eve holy supper, Свята Вечеря (“Sviata Vecheria”). It symbolizes various generations coming together. A small bowl of Kutya would always be left in the windowsill on Christmas eve dinner for departed ancestors, who were believed to take part in the holiday feast.
борщ – Borscht
Borscht is a staple Ukrainian Soup. It’s rich, bright red colour comes from beets, and other vegetables are also included such as carrots, potatoes and dill.
Підпенький – Pidpenky
A traditional sauce at the Christmas table, this dish can be enjoyed alone or served atop of cabbage rolls and other dishes. Other ingredients include onions and flour and spices.
Вареники – Varenyky
Another staple dish of Ukrainian cuisine, these dumplings are often filled with potatoes or kapusta (sauerkraut), or even fruit as a dessert. This dumpling has a half moon shape, with a dough made from flour.
Голубці – Holubtsi
Meatless cabbage rolls for Sviata Vecheria are often stuffed with either rice, buckwheat, potatoes, or other vegetables. Holubtsi comes from the Ukrainian word голуб, “holub” which means dove. In the Christian faith, it is a symbol of the holy spirit, strength and beauty.
Оселедець – Herring
Marinated herring is a type of fish served at the dinner table at Christmas eve supper.
Колач – Kolach
Kolach comes from коло, the Ukrainian word for circle (“kolo”). It is a slightly sweet, braided bread. Each of the three parts that make up the braid represents the past, present and future as well as the Holy Trinity. The braid is then shaped into a circle; having no beginning or end represents eternity and well-being.
Консервовані овочі та гриби – Pickled vegetables and mushrooms
Water, vinegar and spices are used to pickle the vegetables over a longer period of time, much like the marinated herring.
Тушена капуста – Stewed cabbage
Chopped cabbage is stewed in a pan with oil and water with additional vegetables and seasoning of choice.
Квасоля - Haricots
Haricots are a variety of beans that could be served on their own or incorporated into a soup with other ingredients, such as mushrooms, potatoes and onion.
Пампушки – Pampushky
These small, doughy buns are prepared as a sweet dish for the Christmas eve supper. The inside is filled with a fruit filling, and then fried in oil (similar to a donut).
узвар - Uzvar
Uzvar is a drink prepared from dried fruits such as apples, apricots, plums or raspberries. Water and the berries were brought to a boil, sometimes with additional honey to sweeten. It was then brewed for several hours to create a flavourful beverage.