Liubov has lived in Italy for nearly three years due to the war in Ukraine. Borscht is a dish that reminds her of her family and her home, and she kindly offered to show the IRC Italy team how she makes this traditional Ukrainian dish.

Liubov's story

“It’s a small steppe town mainly surrounded by fields, fields, fields, and wheat, wheat, wheat," explains Liubov, describing her hometown of Dolynska, Ukraine. 

Luibov cooking borscht with IRC staff in Milan, Italy
“When you cook, you must put your soul into it. Then it is received very well by guests. And of course, when they say 'thank you', it's nice for you too.” Liubov, from Ukraine, shows the IRC Italy team how to cook borscht.
Photo: Tamara Kiptenko for the IRC

Now living in Milan as a refugee, she has received support from the IRC Italy team, helping her to adapt to the complexities of displacement and a new country.

‘We didn’t feel lonely in Italy’, she says, thanks to the support group around her, but she still misses Ukraine and her family. ‘Home is home’, she explains, hoping that one day soon she can return. 

Making Borscht and other Ukrainian dishes allows Liubov to reconnect with her home and family. "I remember my brother and I would come home and always ask ‘Mom, make borscht, your borscht’. Now my son asks me too."

When she does go back to Dolynska, she says she will extend the hospitality that she has received in Italy. "Of course, I'll invite all the Italians to Ukraine." 

The IRC's women and girls' safe space in Milan, Italy, provides crucial assistance to individuals navigating the complexities of displacement and adaptation in a new country.

Ukrainian Borscht with pork ribs recipe

Ingredients

Recipe

  1. Wash and bake the beetroot in the oven for 1.5 hours. Once baked, let it cool, peel and cut it into strips. Alternatively, you can grate it on a coarse grater.
  2. Soak 100 grams of beans (if you don’t have fresh ones) in water for an hour.
  3. Season 300 grams of pork ribs with salt, then send them to the oven along with garlic, bay leaves and peppercorns for 20 minutes at 180°C. Afterward, let them cool and disassemble.
  4. Prepare the roast: Grate the large carrot and finely chop the onion. Fry the onion and carrot in 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil for 2-3 minutes, then add the beetroot and cook for another 2 minutes. Add tomato paste and sugar, then leave on low heat for another 2 minutes.
  5. Peel the potatoes and cut them into medium cubes. Add the potatoes and ribs to a large pot of water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, cook on low heat for another 5 minutes.
  6. Add the beans and shredded cabbage to the pot. Cook for 15 minutes.
  7. Add the prepared roast (carrot, onion, beet mixture) to the pot and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes.
  8. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  9. Finally, add the mashed garlic (from two cloves) and stir before serving.

What is the IRC?

The International Rescue Committee helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. For over 90 years, we’ve provided humanitarian aid and long-term support to people affected by conflict, disaster and displacement. Today, we work in 40+ countries to deliver lifesaving emergency relief and help families rebuild.

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