Ukrainian Christmas kutia with raisins, poppy seeds, and nuts

  Kutia (kutya) is a traditional Ukrainian dish, a sweet grain pudding that is served on Christmas Eve dinner (also known as Svyata Vecherya). Kutia symbolizes fertility and abundance, and it is believed that good luck will come to every home where it is served. The richer in taste kutia is, the more successful and prosperous will be the coming year for the whole family. The main ingredients of kutia are wheat berries, nuts, poppy seeds, and honey. Each of these components has its own symbolic meaning. Wheat berries symbolize eternity,...