Is it necessary to soak wheat for kutia and how to cook it correctly: we tell you

Kutia is the main dish on the Christmas table and has a deep symbolic meaning, embodying the wishes of harmony, prosperity and peace. The dish is made from wheat, honey, poppy seeds, and nuts. Each component of kutia also has its own symbolic meaning.

For example, wheat is considered a symbol of rebirth and fertility. It is first boiled, then steamed and grated poppy seeds, honey, and nuts are added. FoodOboz explains how to cook wheat correctly and whether it needs to be soaked before cooking.

What kind of wheat to choose for kutia?

You can use both polished and unpolished wheat. The former cooks much faster and requires less water. Unpolished wheat is sold in the markets and is considered to be alive because it can still sprout.

Unground wheat must be soaked in water for at least about 6 hours before cooking. At the same time, polished wheat sold in supermarkets does not need to be soaked at all.

How to cook wheat?

Wheat should be cooked over moderate heat, covered with plenty of water and stirred frequently. If there is not enough water, add more and continue cooking until the grains are tender. After the wheat is cooked, wrap the pot in a warm towel and leave it to "sweat" until it cools.

Before cooking wheat, rinse it thoroughly in cold water. This will rid the future kutia of excess debris that has been absorbed into the cereal and gluten contained in the wheat itself. Thanks to this action, each grain will be separated from the other and the wheat will turn out crumbly.