Kutia (Ukrainian Christmas Wheat Berry and Poppy Seed Dish)
Local name: Кутя
In short: A sweet Christmas Eve dish of whole wheat berries, ground poppy seeds, walnuts, raisins and honey, traditionally the first one served. It takes about 2 h 40 min in total and makes 10 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 2 h
- Resting
- 14 h
- Total
- 2 h 40 min
- Servings
- 10
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 270 kcal
Kutia is the dish that opens the Ukrainian Christmas Eve supper. Whole wheat berries are simmered until chewy, then mixed with ground poppy seeds, walnuts, raisins and honey. It is eaten cold or at room temperature, often by the spoonful from a shared bowl, and each family has its own way of balancing the sweetness. It can be made two days ahead, and the flavors improve as it sits.
Instructions
- Drain the soaked wheat and put it in a pot with fresh water 3 cm (1 in) above the grains and the pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the grains are tender and chewy. Drain and cool.
- Cover the poppy seeds with boiling water and leave for 30 minutes. Drain through a fine sieve.
- Grind the soaked poppy seeds in a mortar or a spice grinder with 1 tablespoon of the honey, until they turn into a wet, sticky, whitish paste.
- Soak the raisins in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain. Toast the walnuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 3 minutes until fragrant.
- Mix the wheat, poppy seed paste, walnuts, raisins and remaining honey. Stir in the warm water a spoonful at a time until the mixture is moist but not soupy.
- Taste and add more honey if you like. Chill for at least 2 hours and serve cold or at room temperature.
Tips
- Soak the wheat overnight and simmer it gently so the grains soften but keep their shape. If they split completely, they have cooked too long.
- Grind the poppy seeds until they turn into a wet, whitish paste. This releases their flavor, while whole seeds taste dry.
Questions and answers
Can I use something other than wheat berries?
Pearl barley or short-grain rice are common substitutes when wheat berries are hard to find. Cook them until tender and drain well.
Can I make kutia ahead of time?
Yes, up to 3 days in the fridge. Stir in a spoonful of warm water or honey before serving if it looks dry.
Why is kutia eaten at Christmas?
It is the first dish of the twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper. Its wheat, poppy seeds and honey are meant to stand for plenty, wealth and sweetness in the year ahead.
How long does it take to make Kutia (Ukrainian Christmas Wheat Berry and Poppy Seed Dish)?
About 2 h 40 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 2 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Kutia (Ukrainian Christmas Wheat Berry and Poppy Seed Dish)?
About 270 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 270 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 15 g |
| Sodium | 35 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
