Ukrainian cuisine isn’t very well-known worldwide yet, but it shouldn’t be underestimated. If we set aside modern twists like the ubiquitous Olivier salad or the controversial “chocolate-covered bacon,” we can discover a whole world of flavors. Traditional Ukrainian dishes are made from simple, familiar ingredients but offer a delightful variety of tastes. Different ingredients and cooking methods are used throughout the year. Let’s explore them in detail.
Earlier we wrote – What to Make for Dinner: 44 Easy Dinner Ideas.
Traditional Ukrainian Meals in Winter
Winter has traditionally been a time of holidays and rest for Ukrainian peasants, as there was no fieldwork, and livestock mostly stayed in stalls. Both in the countryside and the cities, Christmas, New Year (Vasyl), and other winter holidays were widely celebrated. During this time, food was mainly prepared from preserved summer supplies, including meat, fish, and dairy products.
The tastiest winter dishes:
- Borscht. Although borscht is cooked year-round, in winter, it includes dried beans instead of fresh ones, dried mushrooms, and dried fruits, giving it a richer flavor. Additionally, the borscht could steep well in the oven.
- Potato Pancakes (Deruny). Everyone knows that the best deruny are made from potatoes that have been stored for a while, not from new potatoes. This makes them perfect for winter.
- Pea Pies with Garlic Sauce. These pies are typically prepared for all the winter holidays. In summer, the peas are too young to make a good filling.
- Aspic (Kholodets). It’s hard to make this dish in warm weather, as even in the pantry, it could be too warm. But in autumn and winter, it becomes one of the favorite dishes.
Traditional Ukrainian Meals in Spring
By spring, food supplies start to dwindle, but it’s also the time when the first greens appear. Therefore, traditional Ukrainian spring dishes often include a lot of plants. And of course, there are also eggs, milk, and other traditional ingredients.
The most popular traditional Ukrainian spring dishes:
- Green Borscht. Made with sorrel, young nettle greens, lamb’s quarters, and spinach. This is a true green vitamin bomb after a long winter.
- Wild Garlic Salad. This plant has long grown in Ukrainian forests. To make the salad, it is mixed with boiled eggs, green onions, and other young greens. It can be dressed with sour cream or oil.
- Stewed Pike. Spring is a great time for catching this fish. It’s used for making fish soup and baked dishes. But pike stewed with horseradish in the oven is especially delicious.
- Homemade Sausage. It might seem odd to include it in spring dishes, but Ukrainians always prepare and eat homemade sausage during Easter.
Traditional Ukrainian Meals in Summer
Summer is the best time to add as many vegetables, fruits, greens, and berries to your diet as possible. Traditional Ukrainian dishes during this season help you stock up on vitamins and enjoy the diverse summer produce in new ways.
The most famous and popular traditional Ukrainian summer dishes:
- Dumplings with Fruits and Berries. These are a true delight. Dumplings can be made with cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and even apples.
- Cold Borscht. Unlike the winter recipe, this one is made with vegetables and served cold. It’s a very light, pleasant, and refreshing dish.
- Pies with Fruits and Berries. These can be layered pies or twisted buns, depending on how the dough and filling are arranged. Popular pies include those with apples and poppy seeds, especially made for the Macovei holiday, as well as with cherries, apricots, and more.
- Berry Kissel. Traditionally made from various berries, milk, starch, and flour. It becomes a thick, jelly-like dish – hearty yet cool and refreshing. It can also be prepared as a thick drink.
Traditional Ukrainian Meals in Autumn
Autumn is the harvest season. Traditional Ukrainian meals during this time are made with an abundance of fall vegetables, meat, mushrooms, and nuts. Here are some notable recipes:
- Pumpkin Porridge. Pumpkin is the king of autumn dishes – it can be baked, used in pancakes, and soups. A particularly tasty dish is pumpkin porridge with milk and millet, enriched with butter, raisins, nuts, and more.
- Pies with Viburnum Berries.These berries ripen in the fall and become especially sweet after the first frosts. Traditional pies from the Chernihiv region have a rich sweet-sour taste with a slight bitterness.
- Cabbage Rolls (Holubtsi). Although they can be made at any time, autumn is when cabbage leaves reach the right size and firmness for perfect cabbage rolls. Fillings can include various grains, meat, beans, and even potatoes.
- Fried Honey Mushrooms. In autumn, Ukrainian forests are full of these mushrooms. They are used in soups, casseroles, pies, and sauces. But fried honey mushrooms with onions, carrots, sour cream, and greens are simply delicious.
Traditional Ukrainian Meals You Must Try – Video
To learn more about traditional Ukrainian dishes, watch this interesting video:
Conclusions
Ukrainian cuisine is a vast field for exploration and discovery, and traditional Ukrainian meals can surprise even experienced gourmets. They are made from familiar seasonal vegetables and fruits, grains, meat, and dairy products. All ingredients are simple and accessible but offer delightful flavors, benefits, and nourishment.
FAQs about Traditional Ukrainian Meals
Yes, it can. Delicious borscht can be made without meat or other animal products.
Generally, traditional Ukrainian meals are boiled, stewed, or baked and made with a lot of seasonal vegetables and fruits, making them light and nutritious.
This is not true. While Ukrainians do love lard and use it in many dishes, most recipes do not include lard or serve it separately.
Most Ukrainian meals are quite balanced and healthy unless, of course, you overindulge in the delicious pies. Overconsumption might affect your figure.
