BorschCFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
The culture of borsch
The culture of borsch cooking and consuming is practiced by all communities, families, restaurants, and canteens in all regions of Ukraine. It is one of the main dishes of both daily meals and holiday or ritual meals.
Geographical and technological diversity of the most popular Ukrainian dish ensures its viability and flavor.
AUtable1CFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
It is prepared in all regions of Ukraine, preserving local characteristics and using local products. Depending on the region, mushrooms, fish or sweet peppers can be added to borsch.
The cooking process
Borsch in Ukraine is cooked with the base of meat broth, poultry broth, or lean fish broth with the addition of either beetroot, beet kvass, or sugar beet. The recipe includes beets, potatoes, and cabbage.
Borsch is seasoned with pidpalka. It can feature lean ceps, gravy, tomatoes, sourdough, whey, sour cream, sour milk, vinegar, or lemon juice and is flavoured with parsley, dill, and parsnips.
Borsch with pampushkasCFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
Borsch is cooked in a big pan or pot, served in deep plates, and is usually eaten with bread or rich buns rubbed with garlic (pampushky).
It is common to eat borsch with salo, fresh garlic, and onion.
The historical importance of borsch
Having passed the test of the Ukrainian War of Independence (1917-1922), the Holodomor periods (1920s, 1930s, and 1940s), World War II, borsch has proven its social significance in the formation and development of Ukrainian society.
Borsch with pampushkasCFC Big Ideas in association with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy
Borsch is a bright manifestation of the living culture covering all the territory of Ukraine and means more than just a delicious and extremely nutritious meal and phenomenon of everyday life. It constitutes a compulsory part of social practice, humor, poetry, and carols.
Author: Yevhen Klopotenko
