According to church canons, Christmas Eve is the last and most strict day of the Christmas fast. The meal, consisting of 12 dishes, begins after the appearance of the first star. In this article, we will tell you what dishes can be prepared on Christmas Eve.
Kutya
Each dish served on Christmas Eve has its symbolic meaning. The number of dishes reminds us of the 12 apostles of Christ, his closest disciples and companions.
The sweet porridge made from rice or millet, traditionally served on the festive table on Christmas Eve, came to us from Byzantium. Kutya is one of the main traditional dishes of the evening. This dish should consist of three main components: grains, sweet liquid, and additives. Most often, Christmas kutya is prepared with raisins, poppy seeds, and nuts. Essentially, it is a traditional porridge that is best eaten after salads or soups to fill up on carbohydrates without excessive sugar levels.
Vinaigrette
This salad is suitable for both New Year and Christmas Eve. The salad made from boiled vegetables and root vegetables is a lean and healthy dish. Its ingredients include beets, potatoes, carrots, onions, and green peas. Many add sauerkraut or pickles, and for dressing, we recommend using mustard oil — it pairs well with all the ingredients. Olive or avocado oil also works well.
If you are fasting, vinaigrette must be included in your diet. Potatoes help replenish potassium levels and become a source of beneficial resistant starch when cooled, while beets are a source of vitamins K and PP. Fresh onions contain probiotics and vitamin C. Sauerkraut and pickles are fermented products that are beneficial for the gut.
Fish Dishes
Fish dishes are a mandatory element of the table on Christmas Eve. Fish can be baked or boiled, and it is usually served whole. Fish has become an integral part of the evening not only because it is a lean but also a festive dish. In Christian traditions, fish is one of the oldest symbols of Jesus Christ.
In the Bible (New Testament), there are many symbols associated with fish. For example, many of Christ's disciples were fishermen, and he calls them “fishers of men,” while the Kingdom of Heaven is compared to “a net thrown into the sea and catching fish of every kind.” Choose any dish from our fish selection to your liking.
Borscht or Mushroom Soup
Borscht is most often prepared as a soup both during fasting and on Christmas Eve. Its bright red color adds festivity, and for more heartiness and protein, beans can be added instead of potatoes.
Traditionally, ears or pies with mushrooms are served with borscht or mushroom soup, and among Orthodox Christians — sochni — fried dough cakes made with hemp oil.
Mushrooms are one of the typical products for dinner on Christmas Eve. They symbolize the dual nature of Jesus Christ: the cap represents the divine, while the stem represents the earthly. As a soup for dinner on Christmas Eve, you can prepare mushroom soup with pearl barley.
Pierogi with Cabbage
On Christmas Eve, pierogi are made from lean dough with various fillings. You can choose sweet pierogi or those with any type of cabbage. For ancient Slavs, pierogi symbolized the Moon, and the process of their preparation rhymed with its phases. A finished pierog resembles a crescent moon, while a round ball of dough resembles a full moon.
According to traditions, while preparing pierogi on Christmas Eve, one must ensure that the amount of dough and filling does not match, otherwise, misfortune may befall the household. The water used after boiling the pierogi was once used to remove curses. Thus, this dish is sacred in every sense.
Leave a comment