For Mother’s Day, the Most Forgiving Crepes

Whether sweet or savory, Ukrainian nalysnyky are a beloved comfort food

Nalysnyky are traditionally stuffed with cottage cheese and dill, but you can use whatever filling you like. Chatham172/Shutterstock

Our story ends in front of a pile of Ukrainian crepes. Some are flavored with savory herbs and cottage cheese, and others are filled with strawberries, vanilla, and sweet cheese. These crepes, called nalysnyky (gnaw-lees-nike), make the perfect Mother’s Day meal. But first, some thoughts on the true meaning of Mother’s Day.

We have this little black hen who recently became obsessed with sitting on eggs. Any time she or another hen laid an egg, she would roll it into the pile she had going and gently settle herself on top. All day long, she would sit in the nesting box atop her pile. When I collected the eggs, she’d peck at my hand.