Rus Cuisine: Vareniky The Soul of Ukraine

Vareniky, is nothing more than a stuffed dumpling with its origins somewhere in the dim past, circa 500-BC. They are the heart and soul of Ukrainian cuisine. There are in Ukraine, restraunts called "varenikiskas" that serve nothing but a wide and plentiful variety of vareniky. This traditonal Ukrianian food has been claimed by Russia, is more commonly known by its Polish name, "pirogies" and a defined cuisine item in almost all Slavic cuisines. The earliest mention of these delectable delights is found in caravan jounals dating back to the Roman time. The Scythians and Circassians made and ate these wonderful taste treats as is documented in numerous writings about them. It is also known that the Khazzars also made and ate these tasty treats.

All vareniky start with a basic dough that is akin to lasagne noodles but yet diferent. Some make their vareniky with just water as the liquid but the best ones use mineral water with gas (carbonation). Once the dough is rolled out it is cut into circles approximately 2 1/2"-3" in diameter. A small amount of the stuffing is then placed into the center of the dough circle. The edges are folded over, pressed together usually with a fork to seal them. Some folk use some egg white to act as a sealer but most do not. These neat little packets are then dropped into boiling water a few at a time. They must simmer until they float to the top which indicates that they are done. They are then removed, drained slightly & the remaining vareniky are cooked.

Depending upon the type of stuffing these may served as an entree, an appetizer or a dessert. The stuffings cover a wide range of ingredients. Traditonally the most common are those stuffed with mashed potatoes with carmelized onions, mashed potatoes with cheese, cheese ( tvorog), shredded cabbage, sauerkraut (kapusta), cabbage fried with some shredded carrot and bits of pork and onion or cabbage with bits of chicken and onion. The tastiest may contain minced mushrooms with onion, cheese with ham or even fish with onions and dill. Dessert vareniky contain fruits, cheese, ptreserves, jams and other sweet items. Some dessrt vareniky have a hazlenut, chocolate and honey filling that is truly a taste sensation not oto be believed!

Sometimes vareniky are added to soups just as they are served. Traditionally and customarily however vareniky are served slathered with butter if they contain vegetable filling or if they contain meat or fruit then it is sour cream that is used to slather them. No matter what kind you eat they are good.

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