Simple and locally grown, vegetables have always been an integral part of Ukrainian culinary traditions. From vibrant beets and carrots to hearty cabbage, potatoes, eggplants, juicy tomatoes and sweet peppers, crisp cucumbers, and versatile pumpkins, these humble ingredients form the foundation of countless dishes, from comforting soups and stews to fluffy pancakes and refreshing salads.
Almost every traditional Ukrainian dish features vegetables. Beetroot is the main ingredient of borscht, the famous Ukrainian red soup. Cabbage leaves are used to make holubtsi, the Ukrainian stuffed cabbage rolls known for centuries. Fermented or fresh, cabbage is also used in soups, nalysnyky (stuffed crepes), and stews. Humble potatoes, boiled, roasted, or fried, create comforting and delightful dishes, such as deruny, varenyky, and stews with meat and mushrooms. Pumpkins were used in a variety of dishes in old times and they are still a beloved ingredient in Ukrainian cooking. Salads, soups, and sauces are often enhanced with the satisfying taste of tomatoes, which are used generously. Ukrainian cuisine turns the most common vegetables into tempting and mouthwatering dishes enjoyed in Ukraine and beyond.
Beet: The Vibrant and Versatile Vegetable
Beet (beetroot), a deep red vegetable with a sweet and earthy taste, is a vital ingredient in Ukrainian cuisine. Both the purple-pink beetroots and the dark green leaves are edible and add a special zest to dishes. Their unique sour-sweet flavor is essential to achieving the signature taste of borscht, savory stews, and various salads, making beets a cherished ingredient of Ukrainian culinary traditions. Beets can be boiled or roasted and then chopped or grated to create a velvety texture.
In ancient Ukraine, beets were fermented and used to make beet kvass. The old borscht recipe required adding the beet kvass to the broth. In a typical recipe for Ukrainian borscht, they use roasted beets, simmered with other ingredients. Without beets, borscht is not borscht. This most famous Ukrainian dish is known worldwide for its incredible taste and flavors. Usually, Ukrainians like to eat borscht with sour cream and a slice of rye bread or pampushky. Pairing boiled or roasted beets with sour cream or mayonnaise is very common in Ukrainian cuisine, as the sour taste of both condiments balances well the sweetness of the beets.
Another popular Ukrainian dish that features beets is Shuhi – a spread made from roasted beets and mushrooms. The Beet Salad with Prunes and Walnuts is a great example of how beets combine well with nuts, dried fruit, and mao in a juicy and deluxe dish. Vinaigrette, a salad made with boiled beets, potatoes, carrots, and onions, is quite popular in Ukraine, although it is not an authentic Ukrainian dish. Sliced beets can be added to salads with greens, and grated boiled beets make a simple and nutritional side dish for meat. You can even marinate beets to create a tangy-sweet appetizer that pairs well with meat or salted fish. Learn more about the Marinated Beets – you might discover a new and exciting recipe.
In addition to their unique earthy flavor and sweet taste, beets offer a range of health benefits. They are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including folate, potassium, and vitamin C. Regular consumption of beets has been linked to several health benefits, such as lower blood pressure, improved digestion, and vitality.
Cabbage: Fresh, Boiled, Stewed, Stuffed, and Fermented
Cabbage is one of those multifaceted vegetables that can be enjoyed throughout the year. During the colder months, cabbage is often cooked in comforting soups and stews, while in the summer, it is enjoyed raw in salads. One reason for the popularity of cabbage in Ukraine is its availability. It can be grown in different climates, and it is easy to store for long periods of time. Cabbage also combines beautifully with a variety of other flavors and ingredients. Ukrainians have discovered numerous ways to prepare cabbage, including fermenting it and using it for stuffing with other vegetables and meat.
Sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) is often served as a side dish or as a filling for nalysnyky or varenyky or in soups. The pickled cabbage is made by soaking shredded cabbage in vinegar and other seasonings. Usually, it is used as a condiment for sausages and other meats. Fresh cabbage can be boiled, stewed, or roasted. Some of the most famous Ukrainian dishes with cabbage include holubtsi, borscht, varenyky (perogy), cabbage stews, and kapusnyak (sour soup with cabbage).
Holubtsi (stuffed cabbage rolls) are a classic Ukrainian dish made with boiled cabbage leaves filled with a mixture of ground meat, rice, and vegetables. In borscht, the shredded cabbage is added towards the end of the cooking process. In combination with other vegetables, such as beets, carrots, potatoes, and often meat, cabbage gives the beet soup a unique texture and flavor. Varenyky are boiled dumplings filled with mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, or sautéed sauerkraut. You can make varenyky with fresh sautéed cabbage too, but only sauerkraut will add this dish an unforgettable tangy flavor.
Cabbage stews are also very popular in Ukrainian cuisine and can be cooked with fresh cabbage or sauerkraut. A very simple cabbage stew recipe includes just cabbage, potatoes, and onion. In the Cabbage Stew with Prunes and Pork, the sour, sweet, and smokey flavors combine into a multi-sensory experience. This dish is quite popular in the western regions of the country.
Cabbage is not only delicious but also provides numerous health benefits. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, potassium, and fiber. Sauerkraut is also believed to aid digestion and boost the immune system. Fresh, fermented, pickled, or stuffed cabbage remains the favorite ingredient in Ukrainian culinary tradition.
Potatoes: A Staple Ingredient in Many Ukrainian Traditional Dishes
Potatoes are a fundamental component of Ukrainian culinary traditions, providing a comforting taste to any dish. Ukrainian cuisine would be incomplete without this humble and versatile vegetable. Ukrainians know countless ways to enjoy potatoes – boiled, fried, roasted, stewed, as a filling and as a base to hold the filling, as a side dish, or as an ingredient in salads. The traditional Ukrainian dish, varenyky (or perogy), filled with mashed potatoes and fried onion, is a beloved dish in Ukraine that is also well-known worldwide. Deruny, or Ukrainian potato pancakes, is another popular dish in Ukraine. They are made with grated potatoes, flour, eggs, and onions, then pan-fired to golden brown. In our recipe for deruny, we describe how you can make them without flour too. Zrazy is the cutlets made from boiled potatoes stuffed with ground meat or sauerkraut and pan-fried until deliciously crispy. Varenyky, deruny or zrazy are usually served with sour cream – this super-versatile Ukrainian condiment, which compliments potato dishes fantastically.
Potatoes are one of the main ingredients of many soups and stews, such as borscht, kapusnyak, solyanka, and fish soups. In these soups, potatoes are combined with other vegetables, meats, fish, herbs, and spices to create a flavorful meal. Mashed potatoes, or “kartoplyane” pure, are a simple yet very enjoyable dish often served alongside meat or fish dishes.
In Ukraine, mashed potatoes are typically made with boiled potatoes, milk or cream, butter, and salt and topped with sour cream or gravy and fresh herbs. Ukrainians also like to serve potatoes with fried onion and salo (cured pork fat). The onion and salo are fried until crispy and served over boiled or mashed potatoes. This simple and tasty dish is hearty and satisfying, perfect for cold winter days.
In addition to mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes are used widely in Ukraine and are typically topped with butter and chopped herbs. In June and July, when young potatoes are in season, the boiled young potatoes topped with fresh dill become prevalent. The potatoes are boiled until tender and then tossed with fresh dill and butter. Fried potatoes are a crispy and savory alternative, often seasoned with onion, garlic, and black pepper.
Stuffed potatoes are famous too. They are made with large potatoes hollowed out and filled with ground beef, onions, and spices. The stuffed potatoes are baked in the oven until the filling is ready, and the potatoes are fork-tender. Potatoes stewed with meat, fresh or dried mushrooms are incredibly tasty. One of our favorite dishes is The Dried and Fresh Mushroom Stew with chanterelles. In salads, potatoes are mixed with other vegetables, such as carrots, onions, and cucumbers. In vinaigrette, for example, boiled potatoes are chopped, combined with boiled beets, carrots, pickled cucumbers, and herbs, and seasoned with sunflower oil.
Potatoes, whether boiled or fried, served with herbs or fried salo and onion, can make unique dishes. There is no shortage of delicious ways to enjoy potatoes in Ukrainian cuisine
Pumpkins: Always Inspiring to Create New and Delicious Recipes
Pumpkins are enjoyed in a wide variety of Ukrainian dishes for different occasions. While pumpkin is technically a fruit, it is commonly used as a vegetable in cooking. This vibrant orange ingredient has a long history in culinary traditions of many countries. Pumpkins are believed to have originated in North America. They have been cultivated by indigenous people in the America for thousands of years. Later, they were introduced to Europe, and in the 16th century pumpkins became popular in Ukraine too.
One of our personal favorites is “Harbuzova kasha” – a delicious pumpkin porridge made with millet. Pumpkins have the natural sweet taste, however, they are not overly sweet like some fruits. In combination with rice and milk, the pumpkin porridge makes a perfect breakfast, especially for chilly autumn mornings. The flesh of pumpkins is tender and has a slightly fibrous texture, which makes them a great ingredient for soups, stews, and purees. Another must-try dish is pumpkin pancakes, which are a tasty twist on traditional pancakes. They are made by mixing grated pumpkin with flour, eggs, milk, and sugar, and then frying them until golden brown. In our recipe for pumpkin pancakes we also add apples to the batter. For Thanksgiving dinner, stuffed pumpkins are a show-stopping main course that will impress your guests. Ukrainians have found so many delicious ways to include this amazing ingredient into their meals.
Sweet Peppers: Adding a Pot of Color and Flavor to Ukrainian Dishes
Sweet peppers, also known as bell peppers, are a beloved vegetable in Ukrainian cuisine, adding both delicious flavor and juicy texture to many classic recipes. These vibrant veggies were first introduced to Ukraine in the 16th century, when they were brought over from South and Central America to Europe. Now, sweet peppers are an essential ingredient in many Ukrainian dishes, adding a refreshing crunch to salads when raw and becoming tender and succulent when cooked. Their firm flesh holds up beautifully in stir-fries and casseroles, making them a versatile and nutritious addition to any meal.
In Ukrainian culinary tradition, sweet peppers are used in salads, stews, soups, and condiments. If you are looking for a comforting dish during the cold months of autumn and winter, check out our recipe for Vegetable Sauté with Zucchini, which also features sweet red peppers. One of the popular dishes with sweet red peppers is stuffed peppers. They are typically made by stuffing sweet peppers with a mixture of meat and rice, seasoned with herbs and spices. The stuffed pepper are then baked in the oven until tender or in a casserole. Another popular variation of stuffed sweet peppers is filling with soft white cheese. This dish is typically made by mixing the cheese herbs, spices, and sometimes vegetables, before stuffing it into sweet peppers. In our recipe for Stuffed Peppers with Homemade Cheese we season the filling with fresh garlic, spring onion, and black pepper.
Sweet peppers are not only delicious but also offer many health benefits. One of the most significant benefits of sweet peppers is their high antioxidant content. They are low in calories, and high in vitamins and minerals. In particular, they are a great source of vitamin A and C, which are important for a healthy immune system and healthy skin. Additionally, sweet peppers are a good source of fiber, which can help regulate digestion.
Conclusion: Exploring Ukrainian Vegetables
Beets, cabbage, potatoes, sweet peppers, and pumpkins are humble ingredients that form the heart and soul of many popular Ukrainian dishes, from vibrant borscht to exquisite stews and refreshing salads. Though often taken for granted, these vegetables have a unique versatility that allows them to shine in countless variations, each dish a testament to the creativity of Ukrainian cooks and a true delight for any food lover. So next time you are in the kitchen, try to create something truly special and learn more about Ukrainian culinary traditions. If you have any comments about this post, please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with other readers and us!
