Ukrainian Orthodox Christmas is celebrated on January 7. It is tradition that on Christmas Eve (or “Sviaty Vechir”) 12 meatless dishes are prepared as it mimics the Nativity Fast, which no meat, eggs or milk (including cheese) are allowed during the supper. Only fish, mushrooms and various types of grain are allowed as the main offerings.
In our family, we cheat on the cheese, milk and eggs content of our Christmas Eve dinner but still abide by the “no meat” rule with the exception of fish. We have previously blogged about four traditional Ukrainian dishes that we always have on Christmas Eve and would like to highlight them again.
Top left: Perogies – We posted these the week of Christmas and they are by far the most commonly made traditional recipe in Claudia’s cookbook. They can be made with many different filling selections are are by far my ultimate comfort food.
Top right: Borsch – This “Beet Soup” can be made with meat or meatless. I have always preferred the vegetarian variety. It’s hearty, warm and perfect for those winter evenings
Bottom left: Holopchi – Better known as “Cabbage Rolls”, these little darlings are can also be made with or without bits of ground beef in them. Sticky rice wrapped in a steamed cabbage leaf, topped with tomato soup, butter and onions. You simply cannot go wrong with this recipe.
Bottom right: Nalysnyky – Delicious Ukrainian-style cheese crepes which are super savoury and rich. This was our very first blog post which makes the recipe near and dear to my heart.
Stay tuned to our blog as we soon celebrate Ukrainian Christmas and share with you yet another traditional recipe. One hint – it’s Claudia’s absolute favourite!
22 Comments on Ukrainian Christmas
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Dianna
December 18, 2012 at 6:18 PM (12 years ago)My grandma stills makes a traditional Ukranian meal for our Christmas dinners, I am also 1/2 Ukranian. She makes everything you have on this post! Thanks for the recipes, she never has written them down for me.
Claudia's Cookbook
December 18, 2012 at 8:08 PM (12 years ago)Hi Dianna – It’s amazing how our Grandmothers and Mother’s never had the need to follow a recipe written on paper! I must not have that great of a memory, as I need everything detailed on paper 🙂 Thanks for your comments and Happy Holidays to you!
Josie Burt
December 11, 2017 at 12:41 PM (7 years ago)My mom is Ukrainian also and her Baba makes perogies at her house in Roblyn Manitoba thank you for the pictures they look so darn good
Lisa Simpson Dietrick
September 30, 2018 at 2:21 PM (6 years ago)It’s actually Roblin, MB – my hometown! (I probably know your family!) I’m not Ukrainian but love the food. We used to visit with Ukrainian friends at Christmas so I got to try all these lovely foods. I make them now but it’s hard to find recipes- thank you for sharing, Jaime!
sonia
December 14, 2014 at 12:50 PM (10 years ago)how much sugar ?
Claudia's Cookbook
December 14, 2014 at 12:53 PM (10 years ago)Sorry Sonia, not sure which recipe you are referring to?
phillip
July 30, 2015 at 1:54 PM (9 years ago)hi, i am in ukraine for christmas 2015. Iwant to cook christmas day dinner for my new wife and her family actually on christmas day. would it be acceptable to cook a standard English christmas dinner of roast potatoes vegitables and roast meats? and various cakes and puddings
Claudia's Cookbook
August 16, 2015 at 5:27 PM (9 years ago)Hi Phillip – I am beyond jealous that you will be in the Ukraine for Christmas! I think you cooking a standard English dinner is fantastic. I am sure your wife and her family will love it. Have a fantastic trip!
kachuk
October 13, 2021 at 9:32 PM (3 years ago)can i order your cook book
Claudia's Cookbook
November 2, 2021 at 10:16 AM (3 years ago)We don’t have a cookbook. All our recipes are here on the blog 🙂
Christina
December 18, 2015 at 1:02 AM (9 years ago)Merry Christmas Jaime, I am a Ukrainian born in the USA. My father did all the cooking in the family while my mother did all the baking…I am only just recently appreciating all my homeland foods now that I cannot get them unless I cook or bake them myself. Thx for the recipes…I know what it should taste like…but never took interest in how to make it all. Thanks again for helping me make my Christmas with my new husband more like my Christmas from Childhood.
Claudia's Cookbook
December 22, 2015 at 4:43 PM (9 years ago)Merry Christmas to you too Christina!! Thank you so much for sharing. I am very happy you enjoy our recipes and how they remind you of your childhood. That means so much to us 🙂
Deborah Kind
January 7, 2016 at 10:00 AM (9 years ago)Thanks for the recipes…I make a few dishes, but didn’t have all them…thanks for sharing….
Meg
November 21, 2016 at 7:27 PM (8 years ago)We know a young lady who was recently adopted and has become a citizen of the US. I’d like to bake a traditional cookie or dessert that might remind her of her birth place that she could share with her new family. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Claudia's Cookbook
November 29, 2016 at 12:10 PM (8 years ago)Hi Meg! If she’s originally from the Ukraine and you’re looking for a dessert, I’d recommend Khrustyky. It’s a Ukrainian fried cookie: http://www.claudiascookbook.com/2015/01/06/khrustyky-ukrainian-fried-cookies/
There is also Pampushky, which is a fried doughnut with a prune filling: http://www.claudiascookbook.com/2014/12/22/pampushky-ukrainian-doughnuts/
Hope that helps!
Sue M
December 16, 2017 at 7:04 PM (7 years ago)I married a UKrainian fellow so always interested in learning the family history
Betty MacDonald
January 6, 2018 at 1:59 PM (7 years ago)What is the connection of the Kutia to the holy supper? Is it to remember Christ was born in a manger or is it to offer prosperity (sow, grow and harvest) for the crops in the new year?
Betty MacDonald
January 6, 2018 at 2:02 PM (7 years ago)What is the significance of “kutia” in the holy supper? Is it to signify Christ was born in a manger of is for prosperity in the growing the what crops in the new year?
Mike
January 24, 2019 at 4:56 AM (6 years ago)I am Canadian born Ukrainian and have been celebrating Christmas ever since I was able to knead dough. I think the most important dish in the Christmas feast is the Kutia. It is the first dish that is served. No Kutia is like Christmas without saints clause. It is the kick start to the feastive meal.
Alice Braslis
February 3, 2019 at 1:05 PM (6 years ago)My son lives in Australia and he ask me for the recipe of mutual. I phoned my aunt but she gave me the name pshuniska. I don’t know if she spelt it right because when I look on my computer it is
Kutia. Which is right and do you have a recipe I can have?
Anna
November 21, 2019 at 5:51 AM (5 years ago)Pshenytsya is wheat. Your aunt may be referring to using bulgar wheat.
Kutia is usually made with barley.
There is some difference in preparation, you may find this site useful
https://oureverydaylife.com/can-replace-bulgur-barley-26340.html
Anna
November 21, 2019 at 6:19 AM (5 years ago)My apologies, I have all my cereals mixed up.
Pshenytsya is wheat. Kutia is usually made with wheat berries but can be substituted with barley.