Sviata Vechera with Iryna Shumanska
Ірина Шуманська
Marion Ohio, USA January
6, 2006
The Menu
Kolach
The sacred
bread is formed of three strands and baked as a round loaf, representing the perfect and eternal Trinity. It graces the center
of the table and a second loaf is broken into small pieces, dipped in honey and shared with each member of the family before
the meal starts. The honey has ancient meanings in the Ukrainian land. In the Christmas Eve meal it represents the soul of
Christ. Bread is otherwise not part of the meal.
Pisni Borsch Meatless Borsch This is a Ukrainian national dish made
without meat for Christmas Eve. Borsch is based on beets and in this recipe it is made with a beet “broth,” kvas,
and contains beets and other vegetables. The broth was lightly fermented for about five weeks using rye bread.
Mushroom Soup This is a simple, clear mushroom soup made in its
own mushroom broth which is light and easy on the pallet.
Vushka Little Ears The shape of these mushroom filled dumplings explains
their name. There is no substitute for them, especially on Christmas Eve and with mushroom soup.
Kutia This ancient, traditional and symbolic Ukrainian
dish is made of shelled wheat in the same way oatmeal is cooked and contains poppy seeds and honey. It sometimes introduces
the meal with the announcement that Christ is Born. Iryna completed the dish with honey and poppy seeds.
Fried Shrimp as provided by Norma.
Oseledsi Pickled
Fish Homemade with white fish
using an authentic Ukrainian recipe.
Pisni Holubtsi Meatless Cabbage Rolls
These cabbage rolls are an important part of the Christmas Eve menu. They are
made in Iryna’s household with rice only filling and some tomato juice for cooking. Recipe made by Norma.
Varenyky Stuffed
Dumplings Mashed
potato filling is used without adding the usual onions because we are cooking for Iryna.
Varenyky Kapusty which we know as sauerkraut is used in the second version, again
without onions included.
Pampushky Yeast-raised
fried rounds of dough which have been a part of Ukrainian celebrations for centuries. For Sviata Vechera they are a sweet
doughnut type pastry. Iryna said that her Mother and Grandmother typically do not use a filling. These, with apologies to
the Shumanskas back in Ukraine, use a Ukrainian recipe apricot filling.
Salat with Vinegar and Oil Dressing This excellent salad has been prepared by Iryna and is made of several cooked vegetables, primarily
beets, potatoes, and cabbage.
Uzvar For the
meal the beverage is a time honored Ukrainian recipe that is the liquid from stewing dried fruit. Iryna’s family uses
dried apples only and that tradition was honored.
The intent has been to first honor the birth of Christ and then Ukraine’s
ancient traditions.
The desire has been to please Iryna and prepare the dishes as
close as possible to those she would have had with her family this Christmas Eve.
The
meal has been prepared with prayer and is offered with love.
Transliteration of Ukrainian has been used when available with the
recipes.
