Kasha is a
porridge commonly eaten in
Eastern Europe. In English,
kasha generally refers to
buckwheat groats, but in Slavic countries,
kasha refers to porridge in general, and can be made from any
cereal, especially
buckwheat,
wheat,
barley,
oats, and
rye. It is one of the oldest known dishes in the Slavic cuisines of the
Eastern European cuisine, at least a thousand years old.
[1][2]The meaning of the word kasha in Slavic languages does not refer specifically to buckwheat groats, but a whole family of porridges (although buckwheat porridge was one of the earliest known examples of kasha).[3] This Slavic variety of porridge has been described as "infinitely flexible - served sweet or savoury, a meal unto itself, or as a side dish".[4]
The word "kasha" in modern American English is commonly restricted to roasted whole-grain buckwheat or buckwheat oats. It is a common filling for a knish.[5] This usage probably originated with Jewish immigrants, as did the form "kashi" (technically plural, literally translating into "porridges").[6]
In Russian, buckwheat groats are referred to as ?????? "grechka", and the porridge made from this is known as ????????? ???? "grechnevaya kasha".
