Hearty and rich, the food of Poland is certainly not low in calories. But full of flavor and grounded in decades of tradition, it’s the kind of food that warms your soul, which is why it should have a place at every kitchen table. Polish cuisine has Slavic roots, and traditional foods feature things like sausage, meat, cream, and eggs and sturdy winter veggies like cabbage, beets, and potatoes. From the classic pierogi to the sweet paczki, the food of Poland is flavorful and comforting and we just can’t get enough of it. We’re all about delicious and heartwarming food (and sharing it too), so here are 9 of our very favorite traditional Polish recipes. (Plus a little bonus at the end!)
Polish Apple Cake
Szarlotka, or Polish Apple Cake, is Poland’s answer to the apple pie. With a thick, cakey bottom to absorb all that apple flavor and a delicate, crumbly top, it has everything you need in a dessert. Lucky for you, it’s easy to make at home!
Polish Hunters Stew
Bigos, or Polish Hunters Stew is a stew unlike any other. The variations to this dish are endless, but sauerkraut is the mainstay that gives it its unique tart and sour flavor. It’s hearty, it’s comforting, it’s so easy to make… and we find ourselves craving it all the time! Get our recipe here!
Polish Paczki
Similar to donuts, paczki (prounounced PAWNCH-kee) are delicious fruit or cream filled pastries. Paczki were traditionally made and eaten on Fat Thursday, the last Thursday before Lent, in an effort to use up all the lard, sugar, and eggs in the house before fasting began. But we think they’re wonderful any time at all. Learn to make your own here!