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Serbian Koljivo (also known as zhito) is a sweet boiled wheat dish used liturgically in the Orthodox Christian tradition. Compare koljivo to Polish kutia, and Russian kutya and Ukrainian kutya. They are virtually identical, but the most striking difference, perhaps, is that Poles eat their wheat pudding almost exclusively on Christmas Eve, and Orthodox Christians eat theirs on Christmas Day and after a funeral, on the first Friday of the Great Lent, and at slavas. Of all Orthodox Christians, only Serbians have a slava -- the custom of celebrating a family's patron saint's feast day.

Recipes vary widely from household to household, but the pudding usually consists of boiled wheat berries with honey or sugar, nuts and, sometimes, dried fruits, cinnamon and cream.

• Note:Wheat berries are available at health food stores and online, but kamut berries, whole-grain barley or rice can be substituted with good effect, but the cooking time must be adjusted according to the type of grain used.

Makes 8 servings Serbian Cooked Wheat Pudding - Koljivo (Zhito)

See Also

Polish Christmas Cooked Wheat Pudding Recipe

Serbian Christmas Traditions

Serbian Orthodox Easter Traditions