12 Christmas Dishes: Traditional Menu and Symbols of Each Dish.

According to ТСН: Christmas is a special time when families gather around the festive table. According to tradition, Ukrainians prepare 12 lean dishes on Christmas Eve, each symbolizing certain aspects of the holiday. Christmas is celebrated on December 25, and Christmas Eve is on December 24.

The tradition of preparing 12 dishes has its roots in ancient customs and Christian symbolism, embodying the 12 apostles, the close disciples of Jesus Christ. Each dish has its own meaning: for example, kutia symbolizes prosperity, uzvar represents the memory of ancestors, and fish symbolizes spiritual purity. All dishes are lean, as Christmas Eve marks the end of the Christmas fast, which is also a time for prayer for blessings in the coming year.

1. Kutia - The Main Dish of Christmas

Kutia symbolizes prosperity and unity. To prepare it, you need:

• Wheat or rice - 1 cup

• Poppy seeds - 100 g

• Nuts and dried fruits - 100 g

• Honey - 2-3 tablespoons

Boil the wheat until ready. Pour boiling water over the poppy seeds for 20 minutes, then grind them in a mortar or blender. Mix all the ingredients, add honey and a little warm water to achieve the desired consistency.

2. Borscht with Ears

This lean borscht is made with beets, cabbage, carrots, and spices.

Ingredients:

• Beets - 2 pcs.

• Cabbage - 200 g

• Carrot, onion - 1 each

• Tomato paste - 2 tbsp.

• Dried mushrooms - 50 g

Soak the dried mushrooms for a few hours, boil them, saving the broth. Grate the beets and sauté them with the tomato paste. In boiling water, combine the mushrooms, broth, beets, and chopped vegetables, and cook for 30 minutes. The ears are made from dough filled with mushrooms, boiled separately, and added to the borscht before serving.

3. Uzvar

This drink made from dried fruits perfectly complements the Christmas table.

Ingredients:

• Dried apples, pears, prunes - 300 g

• Honey - 2 tbsp.

• Water - 2 l

Rinse the fruits and soak them in cold water for 2 hours. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook for 1 hour. After cooling, add honey.

4. Dumplings with Potatoes and Mushrooms

This dish is a classic of the Christmas table.

Ingredients for the dough:

• Flour - 3 cups

• Water - 1 cup

• Salt - 1 tsp.

For the filling:

• Potatoes - 500 g

• Sautéed mushrooms - 200 g

• Onion - 1 pcs.

Mix flour, water, and salt to knead the dough. Boil the potatoes, mash them, add sautéed mushrooms and onions. Roll out the dough, cut out circles, place the filling, and shape the dumplings. Boil in salted water until ready.

5. Cabbage Rolls with Mushrooms and Rice

To prepare the cabbage rolls, you will need:

• Cabbage leaves - 12 pcs.

• Rice - 1 cup

• Sautéed mushrooms - 200 g

• Onion - 1 pcs.

• Tomato sauce - 200 ml

Boil the cabbage until soft. Mix boiled rice with sautéed mushrooms and onion. Wrap the filling in cabbage leaves, place them in a pot, and pour over the tomato sauce. Stew on low heat for 30-40 minutes.

6. Baked Fish with Vegetables

Fish symbolizes spiritual purity and harmony.

Ingredients:

• Fish (carp or hake) - 1 kg

• Carrot, onion, lemon - 1 each

• Salt, pepper, spices - to taste

Salt and pepper the cleaned fish, place it on foil with sliced vegetables and lemon. Bake in the oven at 180°C for 30-40 minutes.

7. Garlic Pampushki

Soft yeast pampushki perfectly complement the borscht.

Ingredients:

• Flour - 500 g

• Yeast - 1 tsp.

• Water - 250 ml

• Oil - 2 tbsp.

• Garlic - 3 cloves

Knead the dough with flour, yeast, water, and oil. Let it rise for 1 hour, form balls, and bake at 200°C for 20 minutes. Mix crushed garlic with oil and brush over the pampushki before serving.

8. Salad with Beans and Vegetables

A light and nutritious salad makes a great addition to the table.

Ingredients:

• Canned beans - 1 can

• Fresh cucumbers - 2 pcs.

• Onion - 1 pcs.

• Herbs, oil - to taste

Chop the cucumbers, onion, and herbs, mix with beans, and dress with oil.

9. Mushroom Soup

This aromatic dish will decorate your table.

Ingredients:

• Dried mushrooms - 100 g

• Potatoes - 3 pcs.

• Onion, carrot - 1 each

• Bay leaf, spices

Soak the mushrooms overnight and boil. Save the broth, chop the vegetables, and add to the mushroom broth, cooking until ready.

10. Lean Potato Pancakes

Use potatoes, onions, and spices for their preparation.

Ingredients:

• Potatoes - 500 g

• Onion - 1 pcs.

• Flour - 2 tbsp.

• Salt, pepper - to taste

Grate the potatoes and onion, squeeze out excess liquid. Add flour and spices, mix well. Fry in a heated pan until golden brown.

11. Stewed Cabbage

This dish with mushrooms or prunes is simple yet delicious.

Ingredients:

• Cabbage - 500 g

• Carrot, onion - 1 each

• Prunes - 50 g

• Tomato paste - 2 tbsp.

Chop the cabbage, carrot, and onion. Sauté the vegetables, add prunes and tomato paste. Stew over medium heat for 30 minutes, adding water if needed.

12. Baked Apples with Honey and Nuts

Baked apples are a light and aromatic dish that concludes the Christmas dinner.

Ingredients:

• Apples - 6 pcs.

• Honey - 3 tbsp.

• Nuts (walnuts or almonds) - 50 g

• Cinnamon - to taste

Wash the apples, remove the core without cutting them completely. Fill the middle with a mixture of honey, nuts, and cinnamon. Place in a baking dish, adding a little water to the bottom. Bake at 180°C for 25-30 minutes until soft.

Each of these 12 dishes adds its unique note to the Christmas table, creating an atmosphere of warmth and coziness. The festive evening is a time to prepare with love and enjoy the company of loved ones!