Christmas Eve traditions, customs and dishes

It's that time of the year again, when I am missing Polish traditions and my family overseas. The time which feels the most magical and peaceful out of all days in a year.
To me, it's Christmas Eve - Wigilia.
I posted previously about many traditions and the sequence of the Christmas Eve dinner. Somehow, I feel the need to share my sentiments with the readers again, as this day is approaching fast.

My favorite tradition is stated in this saying: "May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve". Waiting for the first star to appear in the sky used to be my favorite and the most exciting part of the evening as a child. Besides opening my presents after the dinner, of course. Part of it must be because it feels really mysterious to search the skies, and another must be the excitement of eating food after all day of fasting!
Do I still look at the sky? - you bet! Some people are searching for Santa's sleigh, others for a star that guided the Three Wise Man to Bethlehem to find Baby Jesus. It's a beautiful tradition. I cherish it so much that I want to pass it to my children. It's totally fine with me if they search the skies twice that night - for the first star before the dinner and for Santa's sleigh before bedtime. Double the magic! As I know from my own my experience, searching for the star stays with you as you get older. 😉

Another very important tradition that I cherish each year is Oplatek (wafer) sharing, thanks to my Mom who shares it with us! It always comes with wishes of good health, love and luck for the next year.
Even though, we're having a very small Christmas Eve dinner this year, I'm excited about the tradition of wafer sharing with Polish Christmas carols being played in a background. Our children will also open one Christmas Eve present that night. I'm thinking about starting to call it a "Christmas Eve Box", as a way of combining Polish and American traditions of opening gifts on different days.

Let's talk about food a bit, too. It is much more different than here in US.
Polish Christmas Eve dinner consists of 12 dishes. Almost in each household, there are 12 dishes on a table. Number 12 is referred to the number of the Apostles and months of the year. Tasting each of the dishes is believed to guarantee strength and luck. Since no one wants to have a bad luck until next Christmas, majority of guests overeat. Dishes vary depending on a region of Poland and the most popular are:

• Choice of soup: red borscht (made of beets), white borscht (sour rye soup) or mushroom soup,
• Uszka - mini dumplings filled with mushrooms 
• Pierogi filled with sauerkraut and mushrooms
• Fried, baked fish with carp being a main dish
• Herrings - pickled, in cream, and in many more variations 
• Bigos - combination of sauerkraut and fresh cabbage with mushrooms and spices (cooked on low for a long time, preferably a couple of days). Non-fasting version includes meats and sausage. 
• Kutia - pearled barley with poppy seed, raisins and nuts
• Egg noodles with poppy seed
• Dried fruit kompot - dried fruit soaked in water and cooked (includes dried apples, plums, pears and apricots)
• Makowiec - poppy seed cake roll
• Piernik - gingerbread cake

and many more treats, salads and side dishes.... Can you handle it???

Here are the links to my piernik and baked paszteciki/pierogi recipes. I'm not missing out on having paszteciki this year!

Paszteciki

Before I finish, I have one more thing worth sharing with you all. I'm going to end this blog post with a fun custom, which many of you might find weird. I remember my dad doing this. It's a custom of putting a carp's scale into one's wallet. Why? To ensure wealth for the entire year. You never know what your Polish friends might carry in their wallets! 😄

Here you go! A little summary of traditions surrounding Polish Christmas Eve Dinner. For more, please visit my older post Wigilia.
I hope that you have a beautiful, joyful Christmas.


Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia!!!

The Royal Castle, Warsaw.
By: Krzysztof Korczak

Don't forget to grab a doughnut today!

It's this time of the year again!
Fat Thursday - Tlusty Czwartek!
Busy with my baby, I didn't realize it until today. My family and friends have been posting pictures of paczki (doughnuts) since early morning and my mouth is watering now...
Thanks guys! ;-)

If you are not participating in Paczki Eating Contest, you still need to eat at least one paczek today! If not, the rest of the year might not go too well for you... ;o)
This excuse is good enough to indulge in this sugar & fat pleasure. Fine with me and with many Poles! :-D

Let me also recommend another popular Fat Thursday treat: faworki.
Crispy, mouth watering, simply delicious! Mmmm... Mmmm.... Mmmm!
You can find out how to make faworki under the Recipes/Food category.
Happy Fat Thursday!

Kraszanki - how to dye eggs in onion peels

"Kraszanki"

Dyeing eggs in onion peels used to be the most common method in our family.
It's probably one of the most popular methods to color eggs in Poland.
Eggs colored using natural ingredients are called "kraszanki".

Here are the instructions on how to do it.
You will need:
- desired amount of eggs
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- onion peels (onion peels from one onion/two onions per one egg)
- pot with water

Place onion peels in a pot with water and vinegar. Boil for 20-30 minutes.
Transfer eggs into the solution and gently wrap each egg in onion peels, making sure that they are covered.
Boil 10-12 min or until desired color appears on your eggs.
You can also use eggs that were boiled before.
***Longer cooking gives better results, however it's not recommended to eat eggs that were cooked for too long - depends on what your purpose is. If you wish you could prepare a solution with onion peels one day in advance - boil onion peels and set a solution aside. Then place eggs in a solution the next day.
***When eggs are ready, decorate them by scratching different designs using a needle or razor, or leave them plain.
***Rub a little bit of oil over eggs to give them a nice shine :)

Women's Day and cute aprons

International Women's Day (in Polish: "Dzień Kobiet") is celebrated in Poland on March 8.

There are wishes - "życzenia", flowers - "kwiaty", chocolates - "czekoladki", and maybe even small gifts - "upominki".
Usually, a symbolic tulip - "tulipan" is just enough. I'd say, it's even appropriate :))
But, look what I received yesterday! These two cute aprons!
I just A.D.O.R.E. them :))
I can't wait to cook & bake for my husband who gave them to me. Gonna look good :)

Apron - "fartuszek"

Ostatki - the end of the Carnival season

"Ostatki" is the name for the last days of Carnival, starting on Fat Thursday and ending on Tuesday - day before Ash Wednesday.
Among the most famous Carnivals are without a doubt Carnival in Rio de Janeiro (5 days of partying and colorful parades), Carnival in Columbia, Carnival ball in Venice and Carnival in New Orleans in the USA.
Clubs, pubs and restaurants in Poland organize "Ostatki" parties. 

One of the oldest customs was to dress up, sing, dance, visit neighbors and do different tricks. This custom used to be popular in many villages across the country. 

Today, people gather together to dance and have fun, before the Lent and more peaceful time of a year arrives.

Faworki Recipe

Final product.

Faworki are the best! I don't make them often, but at least once a year.
And today is a day. Fat Thursday. I made them in the morning and enjoyed with my coffee.

Recipe:
2 cups all purpose flour,
4 egg yolks,
3 Tbsp sour cream,
1 Tbsp sugar,
1 Tbsp vodka or white vinegar,
1 Tbsp water,
1 quart of vegetable oil for frying (can be canola, sunflower or coconut oil as well),

powdered sugar for topping 

My mess:)

1. Mix flour, egg yolks, sour cream, sugar, vodka/vinegar and water. Knead a dough. It will be sticky and you might need to add a little more flour (tablespoon or so) during step 2. It should be elastic. 
2. Roll out the dough on floured surface making sure that it's very thin - "paper thin". (Every time I do this, I think that it's thin enough and it's not. My recommendation: do your best).
3. Cut into strips (about 4 in. long) and make a slit in each one (approx. 1 in. long).
4. Take one end of the strip and put it through a slit making a bow tie.
5. Heat oil in a large pot. Carefully throw 4-5 faworki (note: faworki is already plural, so not "faworkis" 😊) into the oil. Fry until golden on both sides (It doesn't take long, so don't leave the pot with hot oil on the stove).
6. Drain on paper towels and top liberally with powdered sugar.

Smacznego!

Valentine's Day in Poland / Write your card in Polish!

Couldn't resist :)

Valentine's Day (in Polish: "Walentynki" / "Dzień Zakochanych") is celebrated in Poland since the beginning of the 90's. This American holiday became very popular in Poland and won hearts of the younger generation, but not only. People find it to be another ocassion to celebrate, go out and have a good time.
And it's celebrated in the same way - cards, flowers, chocolates, dinner, movies... Who doesn't like a holiday like this?
It's a perfect day to tell someone "I love you" - "Kocham Cię" or "I like you very much" - "Bardzo Cię lubię" for the very first time. It can be done in an anonymous way ("anonimowo") by sending a card or by a song dedication on the radio. However, most people decide to be brave and confess their feelings ("uczucia") in person.
Here is some help, if you wish to write a Valentine card in Polish :o)

Valentine phrases and vocabulary:

Kocham Cię - I love you

Kocham Cię bardzo - I love you so much

Lubię Cię - I like you (a feeling)

Podobasz mi się - I like you (finding someone attractive)

Zostań moją Walentynką - Be my Valentine

Jesteś słodka - You are sweet (about female)

Jesteś słodki - You are sweet (about male) 

Twoja Walentynka - Your Valentine (female)

Twój Walenty - Your Valentine (male)

**********

Walentynki / Dzień Zakochanych - Valentine's Day

Walentynka - a card for Valentine's Day

 but

Walentynki - cards for Valentine's Day (plural)

miłość - love

uczucie - a feeling

but

uczucia - feelings (plural)
serce - heart
Amor - cupid

kwiaty - flowers

czekoladki - chocolates

bilety do kina - tickets to the movies

kolacja - a dinner

romantyczna kolacja - a romantic dinner

pocałunek - a kiss

romantyczny pocałunek - a romantic kiss

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wigilia - Christmas Eve

Christmas would not feel the same without traditional Christmas Eve Dinner.
The most beautiful day of the year - Wigilia...
"Wigilia" means "awaiting time". It is a very special day for many of us. The closest one to my heart.
Traditionally, all of us gather together with the closest family and relatives.

There is a crisp white tablecloth on the table with some hay underneath. The hay reminds us of Jesus born in the stable in Bethlehem.

There is one extra plate for a poor stranger, late or unexpected guest - anyone who might knock to our door this evening... No one should feel lonely or forgotten...
While the kids are looking for the first star to appear in the sky, the moms are busy preparing dinner. One of the sweetest traditions that I cherish in my memories. First star symbolizes the Bethlehem star leading The Three Wise Men to the stable where Jesus was born.


Opłatek

With the first star in the sky, it's time to sit at the table... Everybody shares the Christmas wafer (white, thin bread) called "opłatek" - a symbol of forgiveness and reconciliation. Sharing the Christmas wafer is accompanied by exchanging a blessing between one another.

Then, it's time to enjoy traditional, meatless dinner, consisting of twelve dishes that symbolize 12 Apostles and 12 months in the year. With our busy lifestyles, it seems challenging to prepare 12 dishes, but many people try to keep up with this tradition.
What's on the table?
There is always a soup: red borscht - "czerwony barszcz" (made of beets) with mini mushroom dumplings called "uszka" or mushroom soup - "zupa grzybowa". There is a big choice of fish - carp, cod fish, herrings prepared in various ways... And of course at least one dish consisting of sauerkraut and mushrooms, compote from dried fruit and a large selection of sweets.
Talking about sweets! The number one Christmas cake is, with no doubt, a poppy seed cake, known as "makowiec".
The dinner menu can be much larger than this, and will vary from home to home and region to region.
After an enjoyable meal, families sing Christmas carols and open presents.
Some people open gifts on Christmas Day, however at my home, we would open them on Christmas Eve. This beautiful night ends by attending "Pasterka" - a joyful midnight mass.
Wigilia is undoubtedly the most beautiful and magical FAMILY day in the whole year...

Christmas grocery shopping

Big Christmas grocery shopping behind me.
It can be hectic, especially when looking for the products that are needed for Christmas Eve dinner in Polish style. 

Here are some must-have products, that I am always looking for:
- Carp
Carp is the king of the Polish Christmas Eve table!!! Apparently, it's not popular here...
It's considered to be a dirty fish that often comes from dirty rivers.
I could have it ordered in one of the local stores, but no...
After hearing all the stories and seeing many surprised faces, I am going to wait and I will have it in Poland. Better to be safe than sorry.
I grabbed a frozen chunk of salmon instead... Will make a lemon pepper salmon with butter. My husband is in charge of salmon and I trust him completely, he is a great cook!

- Herrings
I have never been a big fan of them, but there must be some herrings on the Christmas Eve table... Got herrings in a can. Product of Germany. Close enough :o)

- Sauerkraut
The label says: "Polish style". Did a trick, plus I had no other choice...

- Dried mushrooms
They are essential for Christmas cooking!! For red borscht, sauerkraut, pierogi filling... The only item that I missed and have to buy.

- Poppy seed cake filling (or poppy seed)
I ordered it online in "Polish Store in USA". It was a good call. Definitely recommend the store, however shipping is spendy. If you live in a bigger city, many stores have poppy seed, but staff will give you some weird looks, when asking for another jar of poppy seed ;o) The jars are small, period.

- Red borscht - beets soup
I am satisfied with an instant version, sent each year by my wonderful mom. My husband loves it too! And who said, that everything has to be made from scratch? :))

Anyways, I am ready to head to my kitchen and make my traditions last. Wish me luck!

Mikołajki - St. Nicholas Day!

Santa from my neighbor from Poland.

I love Mikołajki!!!
I am a big kid and I always will be... 
Mikołajki is a common custom celebrated in Poland on December 6th.
Święty Mikołaj - Santa Claus is visiting everyone and leaves the gifts, such as sweets or small toys. He leaves them often on a pillow - at least my Santa used to do this...
It is a great custom popular among kids and adults! Kids are trading small gifts at school, adults do the same at work. Mikołajki tell us all that Christmas is around the corner!!!
And all you got to do is... yes, just BE GOOD! :))

Happy St. Nicholas Day Everyone!

Nov. 11th - National Independence Day

National Independence Day - "Narodowe Święto Niepodległości" falls on November 11th and is a public holiday in Poland. Main celebration of this anniversary takes place in Józef Piłsudski Square in Warsaw.
Looking at very rich history of Poland, it is certain that strong patriotism of its people was essential to keep this country alive. Poland disappeared from a map for 123 years (!!!) and was torn apart between Russia, Prussia and Austria. After three partitions and long lasting occupation, Poland regained its independence in 1918.

Imieniny - Namedays

What a perfect month to write about Namedays (in Polish: Imieniny)!  My nameday falls in November! :)) A nameday is the day of the year associated with one's given name. The tradition of celebrating namedays is popular in European and Latin American countries.

In Poland, namedays are almost as important as birthdays. People gather and socialize with family and friends, receive wishes, flowers and gifts. Small bouquet of flowers or box of chocolates is always a very nice gesture and is welcomed.

There a few ways to remember about someone's nameday:

• First of all, almost every calendar has a list of the names which are celebrated on a particular day. Sometimes one's given name might be listed in the calendar even couple times a year! What do we do then? :) The most common rule is to celebrate your nameday on the nearest occasion after your birthday. 
• Many web sites list the names on the top of their home page daily.
• Buses :)) Yes, you can read who celebrates a nameday while riding the bus to work or school :))
• Radio stations. Names are usually announced in the morning after the news and weather forecasts.

So, no excuses! A nameday is another day to celebrate and socialize.
I honestly miss this tradition here in the US. Close family and friends send wishes to me and it means the world to me.

Halloween vs All Saints' Day

All Saints' Day
In Poland November 1st is known as All Saints' Day (Dzień Wszystkich Świętych). Overall, it is a sad and full of reflection day honoring those who passed away... Many people travel across the country to visit cemeteries where their family members are buried. They light the candles on the graves and pray for the souls that are being missed.
Halloween
Halloween (All Hallows' Eve/All Saints' Eve) came to Poland in late 90's and is mainly celebrated in night clubs, bars and at home parties. Many people dress up for fun. It is not popular to go trick-or-treat'ing though.
At my home, the idea of Halloween party would be considered as "a little too much fun" just a night before All Saints' Day, however my parents didn't stop me, if I wanted to attend one of the Halloween dances... Personally, I think that both events can be celebrated separately.

Own source: My first carved pumpkin - the one on the left

Things that I like about Halloween:

- carving pumpkins,

- kids and adults wearing nice (read: friendly) costumes,
- trick or treat'ing (excuse to have some candy! why not?).

Things that I don't like about Halloween:

- gross costumes and decorations,
- creepy music,
- food such as eye balls, fingers, teeth, etc.
- haunted houses.
Mercy! Anything gross does not speak to me!  :))

International Children's Day - June 1st



Own source

   International Children's Day - in Polish "Dzień Dziecka" is celebrated in Poland , Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine since 50's and it falls on June 1st. However, it is also a common holiday in many other countries and it falls on different days during a year. International Children's Day was an initiative of an organization called International Union for Protection of Childhood. Its main goal was to assure safety to all the children in the world. Speeches about children's rights, safety and well being are very popular during this holiday. There are many events for children organized on this day which include concerts, plays and festivals filled with many attractions. Parents buy small gifts and candy for their children, while teachers organize fun day at school, or rather without school, by taking students on field trips, to the movies and buying them ice cream.
   Although, this day is reserved for children only, my mom keeps sending me cards and small gifts till today :) As my mama says, I will remain her child forever. It is one of the sweetest things she does for me and I love being a CHILD="DZIECKO"... :)

"Szczęśliwego Dnia Dziecka!"
 Happy Children's Day to you all !!!


Own source



Mother's Day - Dzień Mamy

Mother's Day in Poland falls on May 26th each year. It is called in Polish: "Dzień Mamy" or "Dzień Matki".
On this day children  give their moms cards, flowers, chocolates and small gifts showing their love, respect and appreciation. Among many beautiful words, the most important are following : "Kocham Cię Mamo" - I love you Mom.

Majówka

"Majówka" (from month May - "Maj") is a name for a short spring break or weekend escapade which takes place anytime during a month of May. It is usually a short trip to the countryside, hiking trip to the Polish mountains or hiking/camping trip anywhere close to the beautiful Polish forests and lakes. All you need is a small backpack, smile and great company! There are many beautiful destinations for this kind of trip. The weather in May is usually sunny, air is fresh, flowers are blooming and birds are singing! After all May is "the month of People in Love" - "Miesiąc zakochanych"....

May 2009
Own source

"Majówka" can start as early as on May 1st which is a Labor Day in Poland ("święto pracy"). Followed by another national holiday "Constitution of May 3rd" ("święto Konstytucji 3 maja"), both holidays create a great opportunity to take a small break from work or school.

Happy May🌸

***A note about Polish Constitution:

• Constitution of May 3rd, 1791 is considered to be the first written Constitution in Europe and the second in the world, after United States Constitution. 

Śmigus-Dyngus!! Really Wet Custom

Today, many Polish people get soaked... Monday after Easter is called "Śmigus-Dyngus" or "Lany Poniedziałek", which means Wet Monday. This holiday has been celebrated in Poland since 15th century. It is definitely fun for children, but also adults like going back to their childhood and get each other wet. It is very popular to pour buckets of water on each other and yes, I mean buckets! Especially boys love to wake up girls by pouring buckets full of water on their heads. There is an old saying, that a girl who gets soaked the most during this day (even few times) will get married first. However, you don't have to be cruel to your loved ones ;) - there is also a nice way to wake up others.... by spraying on them a little bit of perfume or cologne. And if you are in Poland during this holiday, be aware that someone may run to you and get you wet! If you think that you are safe sitting in your car, make sure to close all the windows, because your car can receive a special "wash" on this day...

Pisanki, kraszanki, malowanki - decorating Polish Easter eggs

In many regions of Poland decorating Easter eggs became an art.
The most common name for an Easter egg in Poland is "Pisanka" ("Pisanki" in plural).
This name comes from a verb "pisać" which means "to write". "Pisanki" are created by coating eggs with a wax design followed by dyeing. Although, it is very common to use the name "Pisanki", there are various names describing Easter eggs, which are corresponding with a method being used to decorate them.
At my parents' home we would use natural materials, such as onion peels, to color our eggs into brown or dark red color. Eggs colored this way are called "kraszanki" (from a verb "krasić" - "to dye", "to decorate"). Once this step was completed, we would scratch on them different designs using a needle. Eggs decorated this way are called "drapanki" or "skrobanki" (from verbs "drapać" and  "skrobać" - "to scratch").
The other types of Easter eggs include also "malowanki" 
(v. "malować" - "to paint") and "wyklejanki" (v. "wyklejać" - "to stick on"). 


As I was writing this blog post, I realized that it might serve a purpose of learning some Polish vocabulary and I hope, it did. :-)

Here is a YouTube video which explains really well various techniques of decorating eggs in different regions of  Poland. Happy watching!

Easter in Poland

Easter and Christmas are the most important holidays in Poland. There are many traditions which represent both holidays. Polish people (Polacy) enjoy family gatherings accompanied by different types of meals. They also stay true to the traditions known since childhood, passed from generation to generation.

Happy Easter in Polish
Own source

Easter Sunday (Wielkanoc, Niedziela Wielkanocna) is a celebration of Resurrection of Jesus. After a forty-day period of fasting called Lent, Easter Sunday is a colorful and joyful family day.

Own source

A week prior to Easter Sunday, Catholics go to church with beautiful palms, that represent palm branches waved by the crowds when Jesus entered Jerusalem. This Sunday is called Palm Sunday - Niedziela Palmowa.  Most of the palms are made of willow, raspberry and currant branches mixed with box/yew. Palms are decorated with colorful ribbons, fresh flowers or even tissue paper flowers. Tradition of preparing beautiful palms lasted in many regions of Poland; in fact there are places which host annual contest for the tallest and the most beautiful palm. Those palms are really impressive and can reach up to over 30 meters height (around 100 feet). 
One of the customs is to gently hit each other with blessed palms after leaving the church. It is supposed to bring health and good luck. 
Palms are burnt at the church on Holy Saturday. The ashes from burnt palms are being used during Ash Wednesday the following year.

Polish Palm
Source: Wikipedia.pl,  Author: Aneta S.

On Holy Saturday people go to the church to bless Easter baskets called święconka. Baskets consist of food items, which will be consumed the very next day during Easter breakfast. They are beautifully decorated with box branches, ribbons and little, yellow chicks. Typical Easter basket consists of dyed, hard boiled eggs called kraszanki, a small piece of sausage, a slice of bread, a slice of cake, salt, pepper, and sugar or chocolate lamb – a symbol of Resurrection. Day after that, Easter basket is placed on the breakfast table, and breakfast begins from sharing blessed eggs from święconka between family members. They are cut into small wedges, so that every family member gets a piece, and then exchanges Easter wishes.

Easter Sunday starts for many Catholics by attending very early morning Resurrection Mass followed by a procession. Morning Service usually starts at 6 a.m., so the breakfast takes place pretty early, around 9 a.m. Typical Polish Easter breakfast consists of, but is not limited to:

- white borscht (barszcz) - sour wheat soup 

or "Zurek" - sour rye soup (both served with hard boiled egg and white sausage)

- devilled eggs, usually with mayonnaise

- ham and other deli meats

- roasted meats

- Pasztet (meat spread)

- horseradish

- salads

- breads

- desserts such as: 

“Mazurek” (very popular Easter cake, usually rectangular in shape and very sweet),

“Babka” (usually round or loaf shaped pound cake or yeast cake), 

and variety of other cakes. 

All to satisfy a sweet tooth of anyone who has been fasting during Lent and gave up sweets.

Devilled Eggs

Cheesecake

And some ham and fresh veggies

Trying to continue Polish breakfast tradition in USA