Dry Borsch from Malomykolaivka – hearty meal for the defenders of Ukraine
Malomykolaivka community from Dnipropetrovsk oblast won the competition ‘Incredible Villages of Ukraine 2020’ supported by the Netherlands Embassy in Ukraine, with their idea of production of candied pumpkins. Today the citizens of this village, which is now very close to the front line, produce dry mixtures for instant preparation of borsch for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They have already made around 6000 portions of this nourishing dish.
"We do not panic, keep calm and help our defenders as much as we can. We produce a dry mixture for instant borsch cooking,” say the ladies.
Before the war, they dreamed about setting up production of dry kits for quick preparation of soups and borscht for tourists on trips, hunters and fishermen. War changed their plans. There was no time to dream anymore.
So the ladies started cutting and drying vegetables for borsch around the clock. Many people have joined in, bringing vegetables. The most expensive ingredient is meat, which should be first boiled and then dried. Tomato paste in packages, meat, bags for airtight packaging of the mixture, paprika the ladies purchase at their own expense and for the donations they receive from the volunteers. They do not sell the sets, but deliver them to the defenders of Ukraine for free.
The production process can be seen online on the page of Hertsevski craftolyky.
