Last Updated on August 23, 2022 by Kimberly Crawford
An interesting fact, but Ukrainian food is quite consistent with a vegetarian lifestyle. The meat was usually eaten on holidays, and even more so in winter and spring, and on various special occasions, like weddings.
In the summer, the ancestors of Ukrainians sometimes ate poultry on weekends, but in general, the old Ukrainian cuisine was considered vegetable and whole grain. In addition to the actual cooking of meat, almost all Ukrainian recipes can be turned vegetarian and cooked in vegetable broth or simply without adding meat.
Cook.me wants you to pay attention to nutritious and delicious Ukrainian vegetarian food. Ukrainian recipes include soups, main courses, sauces and desserts. Actually, you can create an excellent vegetarian menu using only traditional national dishes that have been tested for centuries.
Ukrainians love their cuisine very much. It is thanks to this that they have preserved old recipes and cooking techniques for each dish and passed them on from generation to generation. Many dishes consist of simple ingredients that are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
1. Ukrainian borscht
You all know this famous soup. It’s an important part of Ukrainian food. But did you know that there is great vegetarian borscht? This easy vegan soup is loaded with healthy veggies like potatoes and mushrooms and doesn’t require meat.
Vegan borscht is a hearty soup that can be served on its own and it is a very easy recipe.
Ingredients:
- Beans – 1.2 cups
- Dried mushrooms
- 1-2Beets
- 1 White cabbage
- 3 Potatoes
- Sweet pepper – 1-2
- Celery root
- 1 Carrot
- 1 Onion
- Tomato paste – 2 tbsp. spoons
- Bay leaf – 1-2
- Olive oil
- Flour
- Salt
- Ground pepper
- Fresh herbs
How to make:
Vegetarian borscht with beans and dried mushrooms is being prepared. This borscht recipe is not quite ordinary – the potatoes are first breaded in flour and fried, and then added to the pan.
Vegetable saute is prepared with sweet peppers and celery. Borscht without meat turns out to be very fragrant, tasty and quite satisfying. Serve with sour cream and fresh herbs.
2. Vareniki
When we talk about vegetarian Ukrainian food, it is impossible not to mention vareniki (in English – dumplings). You can pair them with sour cream if you are a vegetarian.
They can be found stuffed with potatoes, mushrooms, cabbage, spinach, poppy seeds, cranberries, cherries, berries, apples, fried fruits, beans, mashed peas, caramelized onions, or even millet and buckwheat porridge. Not only this! You can find many legendary literary works that mention dumplings!
They are ideal for both vegetarians and vegans. Vareniki were rarely present in the daily meal of a peasant. Sometimes dumplings were cooked, for example, on Sunday or for a holiday.
Vegans should avoid sour cream and cheese fillings. Please check with the server or host if the dumpling dough contains eggs.
3. Potato Zrazy with mushrooms
The great part of Ukrainian recipes is zrazy. This dish is very easy to cook. The basis is prepared from boiled potatoes in their skins, and the filling is made from any vegetables you want and mushrooms.
You can use a variety of vegetables—anything you have in the fridge—so don’t be afraid to improvise. This is always welcome! Be sure to try this cream sauce recipe. It will decorate zrazy, and in general, will become a regular guest in your home.
Ingredients
- 4 or 5 potatoes,
- 1/2 small or medium cabbage
- 3 carrots
- 1/2 small onion
- 2-3 cups of all-purpose flour
- Oil, as needed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Sour cream to serve
- Parsley
Method:
- Boil potatoes in their skins, cool, peel and mash. Finely chop the mushrooms and grate the carrots. Heat the pan and fry the carrots and mushrooms in it for about 10 minutes, then add seasonings: salt, ground pepper. At the last moment, add chopped greens and mix everything well. The stuffing for zraz is ready!
- Now we make zrazy ourselves. To do this, wet your hands with water or oil. On the palm of your hand, form a thick cake of mashed potatoes (if it turns out to be liquid, then add a little flour to the potatoes). Then put the filling on the pie and cover it. It should be poured in good faith so that the filling does not come out during frying. Immediately roll in flour on both sides and fry in a pan in oil.
- Serve ready-made zrazy with a creamy sauce. To make a creamy sauce, use a blender to grind and mix all the ingredients for this sauce: cashews, grated ginger, cilantro, pepper, salt, water and lemon juice. Enjoy your meal!
4. SYRNIKI
What is a syrniki?
These delicious and nutritious gluten-free pancakes are great for everyone. As you know, Ukrainians have been using cottage cheese since ancient times in national dishes.
The traditional recipe is very simple, and cooking them in the oven takes a minimum of time. This is a very healthy ethnic Ukrainian dish, which is especially good for breakfast and as a healthy snack. Ingredients for Cheese Pancakes
For these incredibly delicious pancakes, you will need cottage cheese and a chicken egg. When forming future pancakes, you can add dried or fresh berries and fruits, usually cherries or raisins. Serve traditional Ukrainian cheesecakes hot, with sour cream or homemade jam. The best time for breakfast is in the morning, it will charge you with energy and good mood for the whole day.
5. Kapusnyak
This sour is one of the most ancient and significant dishes in Ukraine. It used to be prepared for weddings, funerals and Christmas dinners. Now Ukrainians eat this soup all year round.
The key ingredient in kapustnyak is sauerkraut, which is thoroughly washed before boiling to give its pure color.
Vegetarian kapustnyak is cooking on mushroom broth with potatoes, onions, carrots and bay leaves. Traditionally, cabbage soup is served with sour cream and chopped parsley.
As you can see, Ukrainian cuisine is rich in vegetarian dishes. This is only a small part of what you can choose from vegetable and mushroom dishes. Ukrainian recipes surprise you and your family.
FAQs
Are Ukrainians vegetarians?
Although a large portion of the Ukrainian population does not practice vegetarianism, it is not as uncommon as one might think. In fact, according to a recent study, about 3% of Ukrainians consider themselves vegetarians.
This number might seem small, but it is actually quite significant when compared to other countries in the world. For example, in the United States, only about 2% of the population is vegetarian.
So, why are there more vegetarians in Ukraine than in other countries?
There are a few possible explanations. First of all, Ukrainian culture has always been very accepting of different diets and lifestyles. It is not uncommon for Ukrainian families to have both vegetarian and non-vegetarian members.
Secondly, the Ukrainian climate is well suited for growing fruits and vegetables. This means that Ukrainians have easy access to fresh, healthy food – which might be one of the reasons why more people are choosing to eat a vegetarian diet.
Finally, as the health consciousness grows in Ukraine, more and more people are beginning to realize the benefits of a vegetarian diet. A vegetarian diet can help to improve one’s overall health, and it has been shown to reduce the risk of developing some chronic diseases.
Is vegetarian food available in Ukraine?
There are many vegetarian food options available in Ukraine. The most popular option is the solyanka soup, which is a thick and hearty soup made with vegetables, potatoes, and beans.
Other popular vegetarian dishes include borscht, vareniki (stuffed dumplings), and various salads. While meat is still the most common protein source in Ukrainian cuisine, there are plenty of vegetarian options available for those who do not eat meat.
