Ukrainian cuisine is characterized by its hearty, filling dishes, with a strong emphasis on seasonal vegetables, grains, and animal products like meat, dairy, and eggs. Here are some popular dishes in Ukrainian cuisine:
- Borscht: A beet-based soup made with a variety of vegetables, such as cabbage, carrots, onions, and potatoes, often containing meat (like beef or pork) and garnished with sour cream and dill. Borscht can be served hot or cold.
- Varenyky (Pierogi): Dumplings filled with various ingredients, such as mashed potatoes, cheese, mushrooms, meat, or fruit. Varenyky are often served with sour cream or fried onions and bacon.
- Holubtsi: Stuffed cabbage rolls filled with a mixture of rice and minced meat (such as pork or beef) and cooked in a tomato sauce.
- Deruny: Potato pancakes made from grated potatoes, onions, and eggs, fried until crispy and golden brown. They are often served with sour cream or applesauce.
- Chicken Kyiv: A breaded and fried chicken cutlet stuffed with herbed butter, a famous dish named after the capital city of Ukraine.
- Zrazy: Rolled and breaded meat (beef or pork) filled with various ingredients, such as mushrooms, onions, cheese, or vegetables, then fried or baked.
- Nalysnyky: Thin crepes filled with various ingredients like cheese, meat, mushrooms, or fruit, and then rolled and baked or fried.
- Salo: Cured pork fatback, often served thinly sliced with rye bread, garlic, and pickles as a snack or appetizer.
- Banosh: A cornmeal dish cooked with sour cream, bacon, and cheese, often served with mushrooms or meat, similar to Italian polenta.
- Syrniki: Cottage cheese pancakes made from a mixture of cottage cheese, eggs, flour, and sugar, often served with sour cream, honey, or jam as a dessert or breakfast dish.
- Kholodets: A cold meat jelly made from slow-cooked meat, usually pork, in a broth that solidifies when cooled. It’s served sliced and often accompanied by horseradish or mustard.
- Uzvar: A traditional Ukrainian drink made from dried fruits, such as apples, pears, and prunes, boiled in water with honey or sugar, and served chilled.
These dishes represent some of the most popular and traditional offerings in Ukrainian cuisine.