DescriptionKutia is the first out of twelve dishes served for Svyata vecherya (Holy Supper ~ Christmas)… There are actually 13 dishes but conveniently one is “forgotten”. To start the meal the head of the family would take the first spoon of the kutia. Rising it up they call out to the souls of departed family members. Inviting them to join the celebration on this night. The kutia is tasted and the rest of the spoonful is thrown up to the ceiling. As many kernels of grain that stick to the ceiling. There should be swarms of bees and newborn cattle in the coming year. As many poppy seeds as remained on the ceiling. Each hen should lay as many eggs in the coming year. Everyone present eats a spoonful of kutia, after which the other dishes are brought out and eaten.The religious nature of the dish is emphasized by another ancient custom. The head of the family would approach the window or go outside into the yard. Carrying a spoonful of kutia he would address the frost. The frost would be invited in three times to take part in dinner with the family. When the frost does not appear, he is advised not to appear, not to do harm to crops, etc. “Frost, frost, come to us to eat kutia, and if you don’t come, don’t come for the rye, wheat and other crops.” After dinner, the kutia is left on the table with spoons in it for the whole night as an ancestor offering for the beloved dead. This is “so that relatives would have dinner and not be angry with us.”Christianity was first introduced to Ukraine in 988 A.D but the flourishing pagan traditions were too rooted in the people to allow the Church to eradicate them. A policy of tolerance was adopted towards most of the customs. Christmas Eve Supper brought the family together to partake in many traditions and rituals that were once dedicated to the Gods, welfare of the family, and to the remembrance of the ancestors.This kit includes everything you need to make your Christmas Eve Kutia (except for walnuts because I don’t know if you are allergic to them.. So go buy some if you want em!)Contains: Raw Wheat ~ threshed by this witch Poppy Seeds ~ Procured from Alberta Hutterites Local Alberta Honey My own personal recipe that I use every year.
