🎄 Uzvar
Also known as: uzvar, Ukrainian dried fruit drink, dried fruit compote
A Ukrainian drink of dried apples, pears and plums, sometimes with rosehips and honey, that ends the Christmas Eve supper.
Uzvar is a Ukrainian drink of dried fruit: apples, pears and plums, sometimes with rosehips and honey. With kutia it is a core dish of the Holy Supper on Christmas Eve: food researcher Olena Braichenko calls kutia, uzvar and bread the three symbols of the supper. Kutia is eaten first, and uzvar closes the meal.
It is simple to make. A mix of dried apples, pears and plums is rinsed, covered with water and simmered for about 20 minutes after it comes to the boil. Then the pot is covered and left to steep so the flavour deepens, and the drink is strained to keep it clear. Sugar or honey to taste. In a tightly closed jar it keeps for up to five days.
Folk sayings pair kutia and uzvar: "Kutia to the place of honour, uzvar to the market, and pies to the fair." At Epiphany people bid the Christmas season goodbye by sending kutia away from the table and uzvar "off to the market".
Why this matters to you: uzvar is not a fresh-fruit compote. You need dried apples, pears and plums, and honey is best added once the drink has cooled a little.
Facts
| Raw material | dried apples, pears, plums; rosehips, honey |
|---|---|
| Country | Ukraine |
| Season | Holy Supper, 24 December |
| Duration | about 20 min simmering + steeping |
| Main use | drink that ends the Holy Supper |
How it connects to Food traditions
🎄 Uzvar → kind of → 🎄 Ukrainian Holy Supper (Sviat Vechir) → kind of → 🎄 Christmas food traditions → kind of → 🎎 Food traditions
Links
- Part of
- 🎄 Ukrainian Holy Supper (Sviat Vechir)
- Similar and different
- 🎄 Kutia
- Part of which tradition?
- 🎄 Ukrainian Holy Supper (Sviat Vechir)
Frequently asked questions
What is uzvar made of?
A mix of dried apples, pears and plums, sometimes with rosehips; honey or sugar is added to taste.
Is it true that uzvar is just fruit compote?
No. Compote uses fresh fruit, while uzvar is made from dried fruit and has a ritual place beside kutia at the Holy Supper.
How long do you simmer uzvar?
About 20 minutes on low heat after boiling, then steep it covered and strain.
When is uzvar drunk on Christmas Eve?
At the end of the Holy Supper: kutia opens the meal and uzvar closes it.
How long does uzvar keep?
Up to five days in a tightly closed jar.
Similar
Sources
- Українська правда. Життя: 12 страв на Святвечір (Олена Брайченко), рецепт узвару
- Суспільне: Кутя та узвар. Які страви можна приготувати на Святвечір
- LB.ua: Кутя. Страва єднання (приказки)