Tertiukh

Tertiukh (potato babka) is a traditional Ukrainian dish of grated raw potato, widespread above all in Polissia and Volhynia, where the potato was long the basis of the diet. In essence, it is a “big derun” baked in the oven as a single layer.

Raw potato is finely grated, the excess water is drained off, and it is mixed with egg, onion, salt, and — for taste and heartiness — with cracklings or fatback. The resulting mass is placed in a greased dish or cast-iron pan and baked in the oven until it is covered with an appetising golden-brown crust while remaining tender inside. The finished tertiukh is cut into pieces and served hot with sour cream, soured milk, or a fry-up. This simple, hearty, and aromatic dish is a vivid example of the rich potato cuisine of Ukrainian Polissia.