My review on Ukrainian food
"I love the concept and the food! Made my first meal and it was so delicious. Even learned a little bit of Ukrainian. Thank you so much! Can wait for you to see more of my content."
Nestled in the heart of Eastern Europe, Ukraine beckons with its diverse tapestry of landscapes, from the Carpathian Mountains to golden fields that stretch beyond the horizon.
In our Explore UKRAINE box, we introduce families and kids to basic information about the country and its rich and diverse Ukrainian folk art. Included in the box are three popular recipes from Veselka Restaurant in New York City.
Featuring Veselka Restaurant, a vibrant culinary haven nestled in the heart of New York City's East Village. With a history spanning over half a century, Veselka is not merely a restaurant but also a cherished cultural institution!
Note - Actual packaging may vary from images shown.
If you prefer to skip the shelf stable ingredients in these recipes due to dietary concerns, choose no mixes. Many of our kits have options for people who prefer gluten free or vegetarian dishes.
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(4 servings each)
(pre-measured sauces and spice blends)
(for fresh ingredients)
(explore Ukraine's food traditions and geography, including music, movies & books)
(including cooking videos, blogs, recipes)
(4 servings each)
(pre-measured sauces and spice blends)
(for fresh ingredients)
(explore Ukraine's food traditions and geography, including music, movies & books)
(including cooking videos, blogs, recipes)
These 3 popular Ukrainian recipes serve 4 people. Additional spices and sauces or other add ons are available for larger families. Note - Click on recipe mixes for ingredients and nutritional facts.
Pierogi, also known as varenyky or pyrohy in Ukrainian, are a traditional dish in Ukrainian cuisine, and their history can be traced back to ancient times in Eastern Europe. Pierogi are a popular dish in many Eastern European countries, including Poland and Russia. A Polish legend has it, that when St Hyacinth of Poland visited Kyiv, Ukraine, he brought back with him varenyky/pyrohy hence the introduction of varenyky to Poland. The legend continues that he feed the masses with his new acquired food.
Cabbage leaves stuffed with meat, rice, and vegetables are common in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The Ukrainian version, known as holubtsi, is made of cabbage leaves stuffed with a mixture of ground meat, rice, onions, and spices. The dish is typically baked in a tomato sauce until the cabbage leaves are tender and the filling is fully cooked. Holubtsi, in Ukrainian language means ‘little doves” – because the folded cabbage looks just like a little sleeping dove!
Meatballs are a popular dish in many countries and cultures around the world. There are meatballs from Italy, Sweden, China, Turkey, Greece, and Ukraine is no exception! Unlike round meatballs, Ukrainian meatballs typically has an oval shaped patties and are fried in a skillet until golden brown on both sides. They made with ground meat, onions, breadcrumbs, milk and seasonings.
Pierogi, also known as varenyky or pyrohy in Ukrainian, are a traditional dish in Ukrainian cuisine, and their history can be traced back to ancient times in Eastern Europe. Pierogi are a popular dish in many Eastern European countries, including Poland and Russia. A Polish legend has it, that when St Hyacinth of Poland visited Kyiv, Ukraine, he brought back with him varenyky/pyrohy hence the introduction of varenyky to Poland. The legend continues that he feed the masses with his new acquired food.
Cabbage leaves stuffed with meat, rice, and vegetables are common in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. The Ukrainian version, known as holubtsi, is made of cabbage leaves stuffed with a mixture of ground meat, rice, onions, and spices. The dish is typically baked in a tomato sauce until the cabbage leaves are tender and the filling is fully cooked. Holubtsi, in Ukrainian language means ‘little doves” – because the folded cabbage looks just like a little sleeping dove!
Meatballs are a popular dish in many countries and cultures around the world. There are meatballs from Italy, Sweden, China, Turkey, Greece, and Ukraine is no exception! Unlike round meatballs, Ukrainian meatballs typically has an oval shaped patties and are fried in a skillet until golden brown on both sides. They made with ground meat, onions, breadcrumbs, milk and seasonings.
UKRAINE, located in Eastern Europe, is known for its vast plains, golden sunflower fields, and deep cultural roots. As one of Europe’s largest countries, it boasts a rich history shaped by resilience, creativity, and tradition. From the cobblestone streets of Lviv to the golden domes of Kyiv, Ukraine blends Eastern and Western influences in its art, music, and architecture. Renowned for its hearty cuisine, vibrant folk culture, and enduring spirit, it stands as a proud symbol of independence and national pride. Ukrainian cuisine is known for its hearty, comforting flavors, featuring rich soups, dumplings, and wholesome ingredients rooted in tradition. This kit makes those flavors approachable, even if you have never cooked Ukrainian food before.
The recommended age for our explore box is 5 years old or older. All our cooking steps are rated by chef hats for complexity and safely, and there are steps for kids 3 or 4 years old to mix or whisk and still be helpful in the kitchen. Teenagers should be able to prepare the full meal by themselves.
We include organic ingredients whenever possible.It is not guaranteed.
All our dried spices are McCormick sourced quality that will last indefinitely. All our sauces are hot-filled and approved by Cornell Food Tech; they will last indefinitely if it is not opened. We don’t put a best by date because we believe in reducing food waste. If your mixes don’t look fresh, we will replace them right away! We produce a new batch of spice/sauce mixes every few weeks.
Yes, most of our packaging materials are recyclable. Just break down the boxes and recycle accordingly.
Overall rating: 4.3846636 / 5 from 1591 reviews.
Explore UKRAINE (Family) offers a delightful experience for families, featuring delicious meals, a fantastic concept, and a perfect gift. The box includes enjoyable country information and high-quality ingredients, though some find the recipes complicated. Kids' recipes have mixed reviews, but the overall experience is praised for its fun and educational value.
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"I love the concept and the food! Made my first meal and it was so delicious. Even learned a little bit of Ukrainian. Thank you so much! Can wait for you to see more of my content."
"Bought him a subscription when it was just one type of box - so like the family one. We loved it! Now I see there’s a date night one for adults specifically and am very tempted to resubscribe for his next gift"
"So far so good. We accidentally used the wrong seasoning packet on our first meal, lol, but it was a great learning experience. So far everything seems easy to follow. I may have more thoughts after a few more boxes."
"We thoroughly enjoyed this Italy kit. It was thoughtfully put together and it makes for a really great few date nights! After doing our first one, we are both looking forward to cooking our next meal from our kitchen together!"
"I provided this to my clients after their cruise to France. They all loved it, and really thought it was unique. They also said that the chicken came out just like the recipe and was so moist and tasty."
"We have gotten all the kits from each country and our family really enjoys them! They're educational, not only for the kids but for us adults as well. The recipes bring us together as we learn facts about different countries, cooking techniques, and trying new food."
"It was such a great experience shopping for the ingredients together as a family and then coming home to cook it together! Such a great learning activity to add to homeschooling. My daughter is 4 and loved this whole experience! She got to learn about Greece too and then eat a dish we personally made. How fun is that!?"
"My 12y made Jamaican Curry. It came out delicious."
"Kids love exploring the world with this subscription. They love cooking the recipes. Instructions are easy to follow, and dishes are delicious! The passport and the flag pins are very exciting for them!"
"We got the apron and the cookbook, which is awesome, but we didn't get the 2 country boxes."