Title: Ukrainian Sviata Vechera: Part 1
Categories: European Holiday Info
Yield: 1 Servings

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Ukrainians around the world will soon be celebrating Christmas according to the Julian calendar (January 7th). To commemorate Christ's birth, the evening before (Sviat Vechir/Christmas Eve) a ritual meal is prepared with 12 meatless dishes. The recipes differ from region to region but here are the ones which my family will be preparing for the 6th. Enjoy.:-)

Khrystos Rozhdayetsya! Christ is Born! Hryts' Naciuk naciuk@freenet.calgary.ab.ca

Kutya

2 cups cleaned wheat 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans 3-4 quarts water 1/3 cup honey, dissolved in 1 cup cleaned poppy seed 1/2 cup hot water 2/3 cup sugar

Wash wheat in cold water and soak overnight in the 3 to 4 quarts of water. The next day, bring the water to a boil then simmer for 4 to 5 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The wheat is ready when the kernels burst open and the fluid is thick and creamy. Chop the poppy seed in a food processor and set aside. Mix honey, sugar and hot water. Before serving mix the honey mixture, poppy seeds, chopped nuts and wheat. More honey can be added to taste.

2. Borshch

1 cup fresh or dried mushrooms 3 cups shredded cabbage 1 large onion - chopped 1/2 cup tomato juice 3 tbsp. vegetable oil 3 peppercorns 2 cups beets, sliced into strips 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 cup diced carrots lemon juice (to taste:tart, not sour) 1 potato, diced salt and pepper 1/2 tsp. dill (fresh or frozen) 8-9 cups water 1 tsp. parsley (fresh)

Saute onion in oil until transparent. Add mushrooms- saute slightly and set aside. Cover beets, carrots, potato, parsley/dill with water and cook until barely tender. Add cabbage and cook until slightly tender. Add onions, mushrooms, tomato juice and salt and pepper to taste. Add lemon juice with caution since you want the borshch tart, not sour. Bring to boil and serve.

3. Baked/Fried Fish - any variety of fish baked or fried, but if frying use only vegetable/olive/hemp oil (in keeping with the meatless nature of the meal)

4. Osyletsi (Pickled Fish)

Ingredients: 2 filleted Whitefish (preferably caught while ice fishing) or 4 salt herrings

Milt Wash the whitefish (or herrings) 2 large onions (sliced) fillets and soak in cold water for 1 cup white vinegar about 12 hours, changing the water 1/4 cup water 2 or 3 times. Wash again and cut into 1/2 cup dry white wine the size you want to serve. Place 1 tbsp pickling spices into a jar or crockery with a layer of Additional sugar if desired sliced onion and some milt between the 1 glass of dry white wine layers of fish. Boil vinegar, water, wine, spices, and additional sugar for 10 minutes. Let the boiled mixture cool. Strain and pour it over the fish. Let stand at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours. Then store in the fridge for another half day.

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