YEA Cookbook: Ukrainian Varenyky

Prep Time: 2 hours   |   Cooking Time: 10 min   |   Servings: ~35 dumplings

Varenyky are a staple of Ukrainian culture and folklore. The shape of these tasty dumplings is meant to resemble the new moon, and they were often eaten during the harvest. Now, they are often made for Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, with the filling kept as a surprise for all the guests!

Ingredients 

1 cup warm water

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ tsp salt (for the dough)

5 large potatoes

2 tbsp butter

1 onion

⅓ tsp salt (for the filling)

½ tsp black pepper

Directions

Pour warm water (not boiling) into a deep mixing bowl. Add flour and salt.

Mix the dough first with a spoon, then knead with your hands until you get a soft elastic dough that is a little sticky to the touch. Cover the ball of dough with cling film and let it rest for 30 minutes. 

While the dough is resting, cut the peeled potatoes into small cubes and put them in a saucepan. Add water and a pinch of salt and boil the potatoes until soft. Drain.

In a frying pan, fry the chopped onion in butter until golden brown, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes at low-medium heat.

Mash the boiled potatoes with a potato masher or a fork. Add the fried onions, salt and pepper to the mix.

Roll out the dough that has been resting until it’s very thin. Cut out circles in the dough using a glass.

Add a teaspoon of potato and onion filling on one side of each circle. Fold the dough over the filling and pinch the edges closed.

Bring water to a boil in a large pot. Lightly salt it, then add the dumplings. Once they float to the surface, boil for 2 more minutes.

Transfer the hot dumplings to a plate and top with small pieces of butter (optional). Sprinkle with chopped herbs. 

Serve!