Kulish - Main Dish of the Cossacks: History and Recipe

Kulish is one of the oldest and most famous dishes associated with Cossacks. In the minds of many, the kulish appears as a symbol of Cossack life, martial prowess, and hiking life in the Zaporizhzhya Sich.

This dish was not just food, but a source of strength and endurance for the Cossacks, who were always on the move and on constant military campaigns. Kulish appeared in the conditions of constant movement of the Cossacks on the steppes.

Since they often had to be far from settlements and traditional economic resources, it was necessary to have a simple, nutritious and easily prepared meal. Kulish became such an ideal option.

It could be cooked on a campfire just in a cauldron, which made it especially convenient for field conditions. The basis of the kulish was millet, which was always in stock of the Cossacks. Gradually, the recipe was supplemented with various ingredients, depending on what was at hand.

It could be lard, meat (mostly game or pork), vegetables, greens, as well as garlic and onions, which added a special aroma and taste to the dish.