Hrechanyky

Hrechanyky are a traditional Ukrainian dish whose name comes from buckwheat (hrechka) — one of the most beloved and revered grains in our cuisine. They are appetising patties in which buckwheat porridge is combined with minced meat.

Boiled buckwheat is mixed with minced meat (pork, beef, or poultry), onion, egg, and spices, shaped into small patties, fried to a golden crust, and then often braised in a sour-cream or tomato sauce until tender. There are also lenten hrechanyky — without meat, only of porridge and vegetables, made during fasting days. This dish is a fine example of how simple, nourishing, and inexpensive buckwheat is transformed into tasty, hearty, and healthful home food, beloved in Ukraine for many generations.