To learn to Ukrainian dance is almost a right of passage in my family. This dance is about dough, like good old-fashioned perogie dough! (Credit: Lindsay Coulter)
December oozes family tradition.
For my clan, Christmas Eve dinner is the main event. (Christmas day we eat leftovers.) That's because I'm Ukrainian, mostly. Yes, I can make borsht and pyrohy (roll the "r"!)—you'll know them as perogies.
Generations removed from the motherland, I attended Ukrainian-bilingual school from Kindergarten to grade six. Allow me to translate: Ukrainian dancing in Phys. Ed., Christmas carols in Ukrainian, and many field trips to the Ukrainian Village.
Traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner is a spread of twelve meatless dishes, representing the twelve Apostles. That's right—no turkey. The protein is fish, like pickled herring, or baked, broiled or fried perch, or pike—whatever the neighbor caught ice fishing.
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Why fish? As kids, we were told "we don't eat animals that were in the manger." Hay is even placed on or under the table for the full effect.
Besides being symbolic, fish can also be a sustainable protein. I didn't "green" that part of my Christmas—I inherited it. But I've expanded on it to other Earth-friendly holiday traditions, like making gifts for my family and friends.
This month, and for every meal hereafter, pledge to eat for healthy oceans! We've made it easy. Learn how to fillet, package and store fish and try sustainable seafood recipes, like Dungeness crab cakes.
Are fish dishes in your family tradition?
Sincerely,
Lindsay Coulter, Queen of Green
P.S. You can help protect the ocean even if you're not a seafood lover by using non-toxic cleaning products and prevent water pollution at home. Because everything that goes down the drain eventually ends up in the ocean.
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5 Comments
4:18 AM
'fish' is also embedded in other cultures, for example: if you have to feed someone for a day, give them fish. if you have to feed them for life, teach them how to fish — chinese proverb.
6:40 AM
My husband and I haven't had a Christmas tree for the last 5 years . I have garlands that I've saved for the last 15 years that I string over doorways and windows , on these I hang the Christmas ornaments I have collected for the last 30 years .
9:44 AM
E, I too wish written English could better represent the Ukrainian language and sounds. But with an alphabet of 33 letters, it's always a challenge! I'm definitely Canadian but proud of my Ukrainian roots and heritage.
Lindsay Coulter
10:23 AM
If you were really ukrainian, you would probably call your food its proper names, borsch and vareniki.
3:49 PM
Hi!
I have noticed that a lot of people are unsure what the most environmentally friendly Christmas-tree option is. I realize that the best option would be no tree at all. But I was wondering if you might post your thoughts on real versus fake for those who aren't willing to forgo the tree… (My understanding is real is better…)
Thanks!
Leah
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