Hutsul Corn Bread

This is my contemporary version of the native Hutsulian corn bread called malai. Corn and maize flours are used extensively in regions of the Carpathian Mountains and southwestern Ukraine, adding rich color and flavor to many local dishes. There has always been a very flexible give-and-take between the different cultures of people there, ranging from subtle shadings to lavish ambitions. Traditionally, this bread is served with either fried meat or a thick slice of cheese, or smeared