Everything tasted comforting, like the kind of food you eat when you need to feel better. Even though I am far from my family, these meals made me feel cared for.
Eating Polish food made me feel more connected to this place. It showed me that comfort food exists everywhere, even in another country.
The pierogi z grzybami i kapustą are made with soft dough that is rolled out and filled by hand. The filling is cooked first, then wrapped inside the dough. The pierogi are boiled and sometimes lightly fried with butter to add flavor. I have made them myself before!
Placki ziemniaczane are made by grating potatoes and mixing them with simple ingredients. They are fried until golden and crispy. Zupa pomidorowa is smooth and warm, often served with noodles or rice. Pączki are fried dough and filled with sweet jam, then sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Yes, Polish food is closely connected to the local environment. Poland has long, cold winters, so people eat foods that are warm, filling and made from ingredients that last a long time. Potatoes, cabbage, mushrooms, flour and dairy products are common because they grow well here or can be stored easily.
