Brynza (sheep cheese)
Brynza is not only a product, dish, gourmet flavoring (it is one of its many incarnations), as well as a transcendental phenomenon. It appeared at the same times as sheep were introduced in the Carpathians and shepherds started grazing them high on the polonynas (Carpathian alpine meadows). As such brynza defines lifestyle of highlanders, their way of thinking and the perception of the world.

The fall season in the Carpathians traditionally is the time for holidays. The first reason is that men –fathers and sons - with their flocks of sheep come down from the mountains. The shepherd-grazing season comes to its end, leaving behind the days of hard work and loneliness. The joy of family reunion results in a loud celebration. The male hosts demonstrate, not without a desire to show off, their accomplishments, and – of course! – skills. The ability to be the first to mow the sheep and milk it and afterwards to make good brynza is an equivalent of owning the largest fortune and biggest estates. The glory about such shepherds spreads far over mountains.

Mushrooms
The Carpathian hills are home to almost 300 species of mushrooms. Their shapes and colors vary a lot. Carpathian mushrooms resemble wings, flowers, plates, umbrellas, balls, petals, hats and even beanies. They grow on the forest outskirts and glades, mountain hills and mountain meadows. They grow really fast. Literally in few hours a mushroom can grow up to 3 to 8 cm. Most of them require 2 to 8 days to become visible.
Cep (known here as white mushroom) is the biggest and the most delicious mushroom that grows in the Carpathians. It may weigh up to 4 kg. Every highlander can tell an interesting story about when and how he or she came across such a giant. Since ancient times, the locals converse with the world around – with birds, animals, trees, herbs, and of course, mushrooms. When in the woods, they greet the forest spirits and ask them to fill their baskets. If they found one, they will thank right away the spirits.

A range of dishes can be cooked from mushrooms starting from main course – soups, mushrooms stewed in sour cream, fried mushrooms – to unbeatable appetizers like pickled mushrooms and flavoring supplement like dried mushrooms.

Blueberries
In the Carpathians “afena” (Hutsul version of blueberries) are perennial flowering shrubby plants up to 40 cm in height with blue to black colored berries within the genus Vaccinium (a genus that also includes cranberries and bilberries). You can crop ripe berries usually by the end of June – beginning of July. Nutritional value of blueberries per 100 g constitutes 42 calories. These berries contain many vitamins and minerals including vitamin E, A, C, E, B1, B2, zinc, chromium that help human body metabolism, synthesize insulin responsible for glucose supply in human body. Thanks to its properties, blueberry is beneficial for people with regular physical activities and diabetes. Another valuable blueberry property is therapeutic and preventive effect on human eyesight, namely, the ability to improve it. Blueberry sharpens vision, especially in the dark. Those who have issues with their stomachs should consider adding this berry to their menu.
And yet, this is a delicacy. Blueberry jam is a delicious topping on ice cream or pudding. Children delight in the Carpathians is a blueberry dumplings (varenyky or pirogi in Ukrainian).

Home-made Pork
Dishes prepared from homegrown pork have delicious taste and appetizing smell. Lean (marble) pork is the result of proper feeding of the pigs. Animals eat small potatoes, fodder beets and beans.

Sunflower oil that is very popular these days in home cooking was a rare product for this region even in the late XXiest century. Instead, flax oil was widely used in seasoning dishes and greasing pastry. It was pig fat (“salo” in Ukrainian or “solonyna” as Hutsul called) that was used the most in order to cook nutritious (rich) everyday, as well as holiday meals. In order to have fatty pork, pigs are fed the leftovers from the farmer’s table, as well as wheat and grain. Pig with such diet can deliver up to 50 kg of fat.

Івано-Франківська обл. України | Ivano-Frankivsk region, Ukraine