Tyúk

The meat of the házityúk or tyúk (“TUOOK”) is eaten widely in Hungary, especially in soup (see recipe for Újházy Tyúkhúsleves). According to common belief, however, tyúk should not be eaten on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, because the bird “buries fortune” as it is pecking in the yard (elkaparja a szerencsét). Its tojás (eggs) are used for a large variety of Hungarian dishes and cakes as well. While tyúk the bird is one of the most common forms of baromfi (poultry) in Hungary, tyúk the word is said to be unique, being the only word in the Hungarian language that starts with the letter “ty.”