Kholodets

Kholodets (drahli, studenets) is one of the most beloved festive dishes of Ukrainian cuisine, an indispensable adornment of the Christmas and New Year table. It is pieces of boiled meat (most often pork trotters, ears, and hock, as well as beef or poultry) set in their own rich broth, which congeals into a clear, springy jelly.

The secret of kholodets lies in the long, slow simmering of bones and cartilage rich in natural gelatine, thanks to which the dish sets without any thickeners. At the end the broth is seasoned with garlic, poured into moulds together with the meat, and left in the cold. Kholodets is served chilled, always with a sharp condiment — horseradish or mustard. This hearty, aromatic dish has, since ancient times, symbolised the generosity and hospitality of the Ukrainian host.