9 Traditional Ukrainian Dishes You’ll Love (And One You Probably Won’t) (2 of 3)

Vareniki

Vareniki is the Ukrainian take on the dumpling. It is made of dough and contains a filling that can be sweet or savory depending on the whims of the chef. Some of the most popular varieties contain mashed potato, cabbage, cherries, black currant, farmer’s cheese, or forest mushrooms. Regardless of which one(s) you choose, it is always topped off with a generous portion of smetana. And if you’ve chosen a savory filling, salo and sauteed onions are often added.

Borscht

Borscht is the quintessential Slavic beet-based soup and there is controversy over who originally invented it: the Ukrainians or the Polish. But one thing is certain: the folks in Poland are truly missing out by insisting on not adding a dollop of smetana. In addition to beets and smetana, Ukrainian borscht also contains things like diced potatoes, roast beef, beans, onions, carrots, dill, and even chopped-up boiled eggs. Don’t forget about Ukrainian green borscht! Instead of being cabbage-and-beet-based, it contains chicken broth and sorrel. The Ukrainian woman’s worth is often measured by their borscht-making abilities. Not to add any pressure, of course.

Homemade sausages

Homemade sausages (domashnya kovbasa) consist of minced pork, beef or chicken, fat, and spices ground up in its natural casing and boiled or fried. You can buy sausages at the store, but nothing beats the taste of the homemade variety since the meat is so fresh. Ukrainians tend to make a ton of sausage during summertime, so much of it is frozen to be eaten throughout the winter months.