Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: Варена кукурудза та варена картопля готові до подачі. - Boiled corn and boiled potatoes are ready to be served.

Because варена is placed directly before each singular feminine noun (кукурудза, картопля) and agrees in gender, number, and case with that noun. If you wanted one adjective to cover both items at once, you would use the nominative plural варені (e.g. варені кукурудза та картопля), but here we repeat варена to clearly modify each.

Why is готові plural when the earlier adjectives are singular?

The predicate готові refers to the compound subject “варена кукурудза та варена картопля,” which is plural (two items). Predicates agree with the entire subject, so they take plural form even though the descriptive adjectives before each noun are singular.

What case is подачі, and why is it used here?

подачі is the genitive singular of подача. The preposition до (“to/for”) requires the genitive case, so до подачі literally means “for serving.”

Could you use для подачі instead of до подачі?

Yes. для also takes the genitive, so готові для подачі is acceptable and understood as “ready for serving.” However, готові до подачі is more idiomatic in culinary language.

What is the difference between варена and відварена?

Both mean “boiled,” but:

варена is the general participle “boiled.”
відварена emphasizes that something has been boiled through completely (the prefix від- often adds a sense of thoroughness).
In most recipes they’re interchangeable, though відварена can sound slightly more formal or precise.

Why is the conjunction та used instead of і?

Both mean “and.” та is often chosen:

before words beginning with і (for euphony),
to add a stylistic or slightly more formal tone.
Using і (as in варена кукурудза і варена картопля) is also grammatically correct.

Could the word order be changed, for example placing картопля first?

Yes. You can say варена картопля та варена кукурудза готові до подачі. Ukrainian word order is relatively flexible; swapping items can shift emphasis but won’t break agreement rules.

Why aren’t there any articles like “the” in this sentence?

Ukrainian has no definite or indefinite articles. Nouns stand alone, and specificity is inferred from context, word order, or demonstratives (like ця, той).

What part of speech is готові, and why does it look identical to its short form?

готові here is the full-form adjective in nominative plural used as a predicate (“are ready”). Coincidentally, the short-form adjective for nominative plural is also готові, so in writing they look the same even though full and short forms can carry subtle stylistic differences.