Kutia

Kutiaorkutya(Belarusian:куцця;Russian:кутья;Ukrainian:кутя[kʊˈtʲa]) is a ceremonial grain dish with sweet gravy traditionally served mostly byEastern Orthodox Christiansand someCatholic Christianspredominantly inBelarus,Russia,Ukraine, but also in parts ofLithuaniaandPolandduring theChristmas–Feast of Jordanholiday season or as part of a funeral feast. The word with a descriptor is also used to describe the eves of Christmas, New Year, and Feast of Jordan days.
The word kutia is a borrowing from the Greek languageκουκκί(bean) orκόκκος(grain).
InUkrainekutіa is one of the two essential ritual dishes at theUkrainian Christmas Eve supper(also known asSvyata vecherya). The ritual significance of kutia, as well as uzvar, is quite ancient. Ukrainian ethnographer Fedir Vovk traces the origins of these dishes to the Neolithic era. Before dinner, the kutia is placed in the icon corner ("kut") , the most honorable place in the house where religious icons or images are placed. The pot with the kutia was to stand there in a designated spot from Rizdvo (Christmas on December 25) to January 1, New Year's Day (formerly January 6 to the Old New Year in January 14).There is also a custom of sending children with kutia to relatives, usually grandparents and godparents. After dinner, the kutia is left on the table for the whole night with spoons for the dead ancestors, "so that our relatives would have dinner and not be angry with us." The religious nature of the dish is emphasized by an ancient custom, when the head of the family approached the window or went out into the yard with a spoonful of kutia and, addressing the frost, invited him 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."
Kutia is the first out of twelve dishes served forSvyata vecheryato be tasted.The head of the family takes the first spoon of the kutia, raises it up and calls out to the souls of departed family members to join them on this night.  He then tastes the kutia, and throws the rest of the spoonful up to the ceiling.  In rural towns, as many kernels of grain as stick to the ceiling, there should be swarms of bees and newborn cattle in the coming year. In the same vein, if there are many poppy seeds that remain on the ceiling, there would be a chance for more hen should lay as many eggs in the coming year than usual. In cities the same would imply a prosperous new year for the family and also a show of remembrance for their rural roots.Everyone present eats a spoonful of kutia, after which the other dishes are brought out and eaten.
The main ingredients used to make traditional kutia arewheatberries,poppy seedsandhoney.At times,walnuts,dried fruitandraisinsare added as well. Kutia is aLentendish and no milk or egg products can be used in this – since December 24 is a paramony – strict fasting and abstinence – day in the Eastern Orthodox Church and in Byzantine Rite Catholics. There are known kutia recipes that usepearl barleyor millet instead of wheatberries.
Kolyvo is a Ukrainian ritual dish similar to kutia, but includes no poppy seeds. Kolyvo is served at remembrance services.
Kutya is known in Poland askutiaandkucja,where it can be served as part of theTwelve-dish Christmas Eve supper,though its origins predate Christianity in Poland and can be traced back to customs of theSlavic Native Faith.However, it is eaten primarily (though not exclusively) in the eastern regions ofPodlasie,the Lublin area, andSubcarpathia, near the borders with Belarus and Ukraine.It can also be commonly found amongBug River Polesand other generations with ancestry in theEastern Borderlands, who are scattered across all of Poland.BesidesWigilia, kutia is also served onNew Year's Eveand other special occasions, such aswakes.
Traditional old Polish kutia is made using wheat, poppy seeds (ground in a special pot calledmakutra), honey, raisins, walnuts or hazelnuts, almonds, and vanilla; some recipes also include milk orśmietana.Kutia is sometimes prepared using rice orkashainstead of wheat.
A number of customs and rituals in Polish tradition, such as fortune telling, are associated with kutia. This is particularly true for older generations and rural areas of eastern Poland, as well as their descendants who can be found across all regions of Poland.Kutia is also eaten among the Ukrainian and Belarusian minorities living in Poland.
A dish of boiled grains (usually wheat berries) mixed with honey, nuts, spices, and a few other ingredients is traditional in other countriesas well:
Somewhat similar, but with a different origin, and somewhat different ingredients, is the Islamic, especially Turkish, sweet dish ofAshure.