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Kasha with Bow Tie Pasta (Kasha Varnishkes)

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This delicious recipe is one introduced to me by my friend, Felissa, at a holiday pot luck. This is a traditional dish that she makes for Jewish holidays.

Since being introduced to it, it is a traditional dish that I make whenever I desire a tasty pasta dish with a bit more depth. This simple combination of kasha, pasta, onions and mushrooms creates a main dish that will fill you up and leave you feeling quite satisfied.

Note: In this post, I’ve used the more common name of bow tie pasta, however, you may also see the Yiddish name, kasha varnishkes.

oyveyaday.com ~ Kasha Varnishkes, Kasha and Bow Tie Pasta

What is kasha?

The kasha to which I am referring is just buckwheat groats… but kasha sounds so much tastier than groats, doesn’t it?

Buckwheat kasha is gluten-free, so with gluten-free pasta, you can easily make a gluten-free version of this scrumptious dish.

In Slavic Europe, kasha can also mean porridge, and can refer to any number of grains, including buckwheat, rye, millet, wheat, barley, etc. When shopping for this recipe, be sure to get buckwheat.

Where do I buy kasha?

I’m sure there are many places to find kasha – I have seen it sold as buckwheat groats in the bulk sections of many grocery and health food stores. However, because kasha is a common food in Jewish cooking, the easiest place for me to find it is the kosher section of my local grocery store.

I recommend buying Wolff’s coarse or medium grain kasha.


Make Bow Ties with Kasha

I will admit that this recipe has a lot of steps. None is terribly difficult, but it will take a bit of time. The good news is that this recipe is absolutely delicious left over. Make it for dinner one night, and have leftovers for lunch or dinner later in the week.

5.0 from 3 reviews
Kasha with Bow Tie Pasta (Kasha Varniskhkes)
 
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The delicious recipe combines bow-tie pasta, sauteed onions and mushrooms and the nutty flavor of toasted kasha.
Author:
Ingredients
Kasha
  • 1 cup kasha (Wolff's medium or coarse)
  • 1 egg
  • Vegetable broth (may also use chicken broth for a non-vegetarian dish)
Pasta and Veggies
  • Bow tie pasta (aka varnishkes or farfalle)
  • 2 onions
  • 1 package mushrooms
  • Olive oil
Instructions
Cook the Kasha
  1. Prepare the kasha following the directions on the package.
  2. For a nuttier flavor, toast the kasha well - just be sure not to burn it.
Saute the Onions and Mushrooms
  1. Slice the onions and mushrooms.
  2. In a large skillet, saute the onions and mushrooms until they are golden brown. (I like mine caramelized, so I cook them for a nice long time.)
Make the Bow Tie Pasta
  1. In a large pot, cook the bow-tie pasta following the instructions on the box.
  2. Set aside until the kasha, mushrooms and onions are cooked.
Combine and Enjoy
  1. When all ingredients are cooked, combine all ingredients and mix well.
  2. Serve and Enjoy


Comments

  6. Sounds good, I have seen kasha at the store but never tried it. But I like soba noodles which are made from buckwheat, so I’d probably like this too.