World Flavors Cookbook

Kutia (Christmas Eve Grain Pudding)

The most important of the 12 dishes of the Ukrainian Christmas Eve (Sviata Vecheria) — a sweet grain pudding symbolizing fertility and remembrance.

Cuisine: Ukraine

Ingredients

• 2 cups wheat berries (husked)
• 1 cup poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup raisins
• Pinch of salt
• Warm water as needed

Instructions

1. Soak the wheat berries overnight. Drain and simmer in fresh water for 60-90 minutes until tender but still chewy.
2. Scald poppy seeds with boiling water, let sit for 30 minutes, then drain and grind them (traditionally in a mortar) until they release a milky liquid.
3. Soak raisins in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain.
4. Mix the cooked wheat, ground poppy seeds, chopped walnuts, and raisins in a large bowl.
5. Dissolve honey in a small amount of warm water and stir into the mixture. The kutia should be moist but not soupy.
6. Let it rest in the fridge for several hours for flavors to meld before serving at room temperature.