Kulish, vereshchaka, zavyvanets – unusual names of Ukrainian dishes

If you have ever been in nature and cooked porridge on a bonfire, then you may not even have guessed that you are recreating the traditions of the Zaporozhian Cossacks. Kulish <TAG1> is one of the oldest Ukrainian dishes, which was prepared during campaigns by the Cossacks of Zaporizhzhya Sich. Its main ingredient is – millet, which was well stored and did not spoil during long journeys.

Classic kulish was prepared on water or broth with the addition of lard, onions and garlic. Richer options included meat, cracklings, and greens. Due to its nutrition and simplicity, the kulish became a real savior in distant campaigns, because it provided the Cossacks with strength and energy.

The name «kulish» comes from the Turkic languages, where the word «qulish» meant «mixing». And indeed, this dish is prepared by mixing all the ingredients in one cauldron, which makes it not only filling, but also quite easy to prepare.

Today, kulish remains a popular dish among tourists and lovers of active recreation, because it is easy to prepare in the open air. And someone prepares it even at home, adding modern ingredients like mushrooms or cream, making kulish even tastier.

Can I eat «heather»? If you don't know it's a dish, the name might suggest something unusual. However, heather – is a very tasty meat snack that comes from the ancient cuisine of Ukrainian cities.

This dish is made with ribs, usually pork, which are stewed in beer or kvass with onions and spices. Some recipes call for the addition of beet kvass, which gives the dish a special sweet and sour taste. When cooked, the meat is intensely squeaked in a frying pan or cauldron, and the sounds that come out in the process resemble a squeal. That is why the dish got such an interesting name – vereshchaka.

There is a legend that this dish dates back to the time of Hetman Ivan Mazepa. It seems that one of the cooks named Vereshchaka came up with this method of cooking meat, and his recipe was so liked by the hetman that the dish got the name of its creator.

Today, heather is known mainly in the central regions of Ukraine, and although it is not as popular as borscht or dumplings, real gourmets will definitely appreciate its rich taste and aroma.

Another interesting dish with an unusual name – zavyvanets. This word seems to suggest that the dish has some twisted shape, and it really is! Curls can be either sweet or meaty, but all share the – filling feature that wraps in dough or meat layer.

The most famous variant of – is sweet perm, which resembles a roll. It is made from yeast or puff pastry, adding poppy seeds, nut or fruit toppings. In ancient times, such perms were baked on major holidays, especially on Christmas and Easter.

A less well-known, but no less tasty version of – meat curler. It is a piece of meat (often pork or beef) that is stuffed with mushrooms, cheese, or vegetables, and then rolled and baked. Such a curling iron is a great alternative to traditional baked meat.

The name «curling» comes from the word «curling», which means «curl, twist». So, this dish got its name well deservedly – because its main feature is its shape.

Ukrainian cuisine is full not only of delicious, but also of interestingly named dishes. Kulish, heather and curler <TAG1> are just three examples, but each has a rich history and a special taste passed down from generation to generation. Our ancestors not only invented delicious recipes, but also endowed them with poetic, metaphorical names that tell about the method of preparation, special properties or even legends.

So if you haven't tried these dishes yet – be sure to do it! Perhaps they will become your favorites, and their unusual names will become an occasion for interesting conversations at the table.