In old Ukraine, cuisine was a highly developed art form. Traditional cookery, here evoked in a comprehensive and well-researched assortment of menus and recipes, reflected the productivity of a rich farming and sheepraising region, celebrated the festivals in the church calendar, and marked important family milestones—births, christenings, name days, betrothals, weddings, and commemorations of the dead. In addition to precise instructions designed for the modern kitchen, thirty-eight drawings illustrate the correct technique for filling dumplings and cabbage rolls and the artistry involved in baking the famous Ukrainian Easter paska and fancifully embellished wedding breads. An authoritative reference section and note on sources will be an aid to scholars and all concerned with the preservation of Ukrainian culture. Far more than a cookbook, festive Ukrainian Cooking is also a definitive account of traditional Ukrainian culture as perpetuated in family rituals and lovingly celebrated with elegantly prepared food and drink. Working from original sources in Ukrainian, Russian, and Polish, and drawing on long experience as an accomplished cook herself, Marta Pisetska Parley arranges these recipes as they were enjoyed throughout the year, beginning with the Christmas season and ending with succulent dishes made with wild mushrooms gathered in the fall. Chapter introductions describe the folkways associated with major holidays and family events and the symbolic and celebratory role of food appropriate to each. Devotees of ethnic cuisine, experienced cooks and beginners alike, will find much to choose from in this authoritative collection that encompasses the best of a rich, varied, and healthful culinary tradition.