On the eve of the feast of the Epiphany, Ukrainians prepare “hungry” kutya – the last kutya of the Christmas-New Year cycle. This day is filled with a special spiritual mood, as people fast until the evening, and after the blessing of water, the solemn celebration begins. Simple recipes will help create a real sayatka atmosphere, so let's get ready for the Epiphany Eve together with WomanEL.
ContentWhy kutya is called “hungry”What is prepared for the tableRecipes for traditional dishes”Hungry” kutyaMeatly borschtDarlings with cabbageUzvar 
Let's prepare for the Baptism of the Lord: a hungry dinner with kutya and uzvar. Source: pinterest.com
Why is kutya called “hungry”
The name comes from the custom of observing a strict fast until dinner. All dishes on Epiphany Eve should be lean, and the number of dishes is usually smaller than on Christmas Eve. The main dishes on the table are kutya, uzvar, cabbage dumplings, lean borscht, buckwheat pancakes and fish.
What is prepared for the table
Dishes for “hungry” kutya are simple, but very tasty:
• Kutya: the main dish of the dinner. It consists of wheat or rice, honey, poppy seeds, nuts, and dried fruits.
• Uzvar: a drink made from dried fruits that symbolizes abundance and health.
• Lean borscht: it is prepared without meat, but retains a rich taste and aroma thanks to vegetables and spices.
• Cabbage dumplings: the filling is made from stewed cabbage with onions, and the dough is made on water without eggs.
• Buckwheat pancakes: thin lean pancakes made from buckwheat flour and water. They are served with honey or uzvarom.
• Fish: lean baked fish or fish cutlets.
Not just a meal, but a special moment of unity with God, family, and ancestral traditions. Source: pinterest.com
Recipes of traditional dishes
“Hungry” Kutya
Ingredients:
• Wheat or barley – 1 cup
• Poppy seeds – 100 g
• Honey – 2 tbsp. l.
• Nuts and raisins – to taste
Preparation:
• Boil wheat or barley until cooked.
• Pour hot water over the poppy seeds, chop.
• Add honey, nuts, raisins and mix with the porridge.
Beetroot borscht
Ingredients:
• Beets – 2 pcs.
• Cabbage – 200 g
• Carrots, potatoes – 1 pc.
• Tomatoes – 2 pcs.
Preparation:
• Fry the grated beets and carrots.
• In a separate saucepan, boil the potatoes, add the cabbage and tomatoes.
• Combine the vegetables, season with spices.
Dough dumplings
Ingredients for the dough:
• Flour – 2 cups
• Water – 1 cup
• A pinch of salt
For the filling:
• Sauerkraut – 200 g
• Onion – 1 pc.
Preparation:
• Knead the elastic dough, leave for 20 minutes.
• Fry the cabbage with onions.
• Roll out the dough, form dumplings and cook in salted water.
Simple recipes will help create a real Sayatka atmosphere. Source: pinterest.com
Uzvar
Ingredients:
• Dried apples, pears and plums – 200 g
• Honey – 2 tbsp. l.
Preparation:
• Pour dried fruits with water and cook for 20 minutes.
• Add honey, cool.
A “hungry” dinner symbolizes the purification of the soul and body before the holiday. It is not only about lean food, but also about inner harmony and peace. During dinner, the head of the house would definitely bless the family, and after the consecration of the water the next day, people would be spiritually and physically cleansed.
Also find out how to make a cheesecake with dried fruits and nuts: a recipe from Olga Ryabenko for the holiday table.
