Kutia or kutya (Belarusian: куцця; Russian: кутья; Ukrainian: кутя [kʊˈtʲa] ⓘ) is a ceremonial grain dish with sweet gravy traditionally served mostly by Eastern Orthodox Christians and some Catholic Christians predominantly in Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, but also in parts of Lithuania[1] and Poland during the Christmas – Feast of Jordan holiday season or as part of a funeral feast.

[5] In Ukraine kutіa is one of the two essential ritual dishes at the Ukrainian Christmas Eve supper[6] (also known as Svyata vecherya).

In rural towns, as many kernels of grain as stick to the ceiling, there should be swarms of bees and newborn cattle in the coming year.

In the same vein, if there are many poppy seeds that remain on the ceiling, there would be a chance for more hen should lay as many eggs in the coming year than usual.

Kutia is a Lenten dish and no milk or egg products can be used in this – since December 24 is a paramony – strict fasting and abstinence – day in the Eastern Orthodox Church and in Byzantine Rite Catholics.

[18] However, it is eaten primarily (though not exclusively) in the eastern regions of Podlasie, the Lublin area, and Subcarpathia, near the borders with Belarus and Ukraine.

[18] Traditional old Polish kutia is made using wheat, poppy seeds (ground in a special pot called makutra), honey, raisins, walnuts or hazelnuts, almonds, and vanilla; some recipes also include milk or śmietana.