Ukrainian · Sweet

Kutia

Name: Kutia
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 110 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Ukrainian
Ingredients: 250 g (1¼ cups) wheat berries, soaked overnight; 100 g (⅔ cup) poppy seeds; 100 g (⅓ cup) honey; 80 g (½ cup) walnuts, chopped; 60 g (½ cup) raisins or dried apricots; A pinch of salt

Кутя

Wheat berries with honey and poppy seed for Nativity Eve

Any fast dayPrep 20 minCook 1 h 30 minServes 8Plus overnight soaking

When to eat it. No oil, wine or fish, so it fits even the strict weekdays of Lent.

Ingredients

250 g (1¼ cups) wheat berries, soaked overnight
100 g (⅔ cup) poppy seeds
100 g (⅓ cup) honey
80 g (½ cup) walnuts, chopped
60 g (½ cup) raisins or dried apricots
A pinch of salt

Method

Simmer the soaked wheat in fresh water for 1 to 1½ hours until tender but still chewy. Drain and cool.
Pour boiling water over the poppy seeds, soak 30 minutes, drain, then grind or pound them until milky.
Thin the honey with 3 tbsp warm water.
Mix everything together and chill. Serve the first spoonful before any other dish on Christmas Eve.

Tip. The first of the twelve dishes of the Ukrainian Holy Supper on Nativity Eve.

Fasting customs differ between churches and parishes. When in doubt, follow what your priest gives you. Not sure what today allows? Check the Orthodox calendar.

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