Some way overdue pictures of the typical Ukrainian food culture. Interestingly a lot resembles the traditional Dutch cuisine. Of course this is not too strange since the climate is suitable for similar vegetables. A big diffence is nowadays in our western culture of import in the Netherlands most vegetables will be available year round in acceptable quality while in Ukraine it’s hard to find – for instance – good tomatoes when the season climbs to winter.
Stocking up potatoes.
Pumpkin creativity
Giant big Radish of death! Tasty though
Many people with relatives in the village get their stuff from there to save some.
Borstj – Beet reet soup with anything else you want to throw in.
Sour cabbage
i look like refugee on this photo.
people use products from villages not to save money. usually its not worth that.
there are some reasons:
1/ vegetables and meat made by hands of your relatives is considered to be clean and more healthy than vegetables bought from market and shops.
2/ people who live in villages still have their own crofts and citizens like to work on that crofts during the hollidays (or have to indulge their relatives) – so bringing products from village is like gratitude.
3/ a lot of older people in villages feel they are needed when u use their food.
i am a victim of all three reasons. my mother is really happy i am helping her with garden and using products she prepared for me. she feels needed and loved.
and: good vegetables can be found on the market anytime. but they will cost a lot. being together almost unemployed we just never baught them.