Polish traditional 12 Christmas Eve dishes..

In polish Christmas traditions, the day of Christmas Eve, December 24th is the most important part of the holidays. For Polish people, this day is absolutely meat free, and as soon the diets star will appear in the sky, the whole family will sit to the holiday supper, that is have 12 traditional dishes. The 12 symbolize the number of months, as well the number of Jesus Apostles, so as you can see, the 12 dishes are a must. A common feature of all Christmas Eve dishes is their Lenten character.  It is Polish custom to avoid meat dishes and those prepared with animal fat on Christmas Eve.  For this reason, most of our traditional Christmas specialties are based on fish.

Even thou the list of those dishes, varies in different parts of the country, the basic idea stays the same all over. so, the list I put together of the traditional Christmas Eve dishes, is a list of the most popular ones, as you can imagine, from all four corners of the Polish Land.  You will notice, one theme running through all the dishes, no matter from which part of the country they come. Use of cabbage (or sauerkraut), dry mushrooms (always forged during summer months, and dried at home), Śledzie (herrings), poppyseeds and fish (most traditionally Carp).

The Christmas Eve dishes are to symbolize the fruits of the earth, and the dinner participants, to ensure their happiness throughout the coming year, should taste each dish.

*TWELVE DISHES OF CHRISTMAS EVE*

1.

 Barszcz czerwony z uszkami (Beetroot soup (Borscht) with small mushroom dumplings)- clear beet broth, is always served with small mushroom dumplings. They are called uszka (from “ucho” that mean “ear” in Polish). That is always the first dish being served, so trust me on this. It is always tasting amazing … the best part… the best day, the mini mushroom dumplings taste even better .it was always my favorite. Tok bad it is a dish made only once a year.

2.

 Pierogi z kapustą i grzybami (dumplings with sauerkraut and mushrooms) – simple dough (flour, egg, oil, and water) turned into tasty shell filled with aromatic mixture of dehydrated wild forest mushrooms and sauerkraut. I love mushrooms in any form, do that it was always one of my favorite dishes. The dumplings are even better the next day.

3.

 Kompot z suszu (Compote of dried fruits) – well, when it comes to this dish, you will love it or hate it. In my family was a must, and beloved Christmas drink. I will always skip it! Large number of fried fruits (apples, smoked prunes, apricots, pears, and raisins) cooked with mix spices (cinnamon, cloves) with splash of orange juice, until the whole thing comes together as fragrant and flavorful hot drink.

4.

Ryba po Grecku (Greek-style fish; or fish alla Greek) – Popular dish in Poland, served traditionally for Christmas Eve dinner. Served hot or cold. Prepared from fried pieces or fillets of fish (most popular is Cod), and vegetable sauce (shredded carrots, parsnips, onions, and tomato paste).  After fish is fries, it is interlayered in a tall glass dish, with the vegetables. Served during Christmas Eve dinner. Believe me, it tastes even better eaten cold, the nest day.

5.

Kulebiak /Paszteciki z kapustą i grzybami (coulibiac /handmade pies with sauerkraut and mushrooms) – Kulebiak is a large, yeast dough like dumpling stuffed with stuffing made from cabbage (or sauerkraut) and mushroom. The dish comes originally from Ukraine, but due to intertwined history of our countries, many dishes are a part of the polish cuisine now. Kulebiak traditionally is made into one large on, but in many homes, individual, smaller portions are made.  Baked in the oven, until crispy brown.

6.

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Kapusta z grochem / Kapusta z grzybami (Cabbage with peas / cabbage with mushrooms) – hot dish, made of sauerkraut and mushrooms or peas, in some parts of the country. In my home it was always mushrooms. Sauteed onions on vegetable oil, with salt and pepper. The dry mushrooms must be dehydrated in the hot water. In the meantime, the cabbage is added to onions, and cooked together for a few minutes. Next step is to add he mushrooms (together with the water) to the onion cabbage mix. The dark water from the mushroom, will cause ethe cabbage mix to change the color, and dark become brown, with an amazing mushroom (and the taste of forest in the summer) flavor and aroma.

7.

Śledź na różne sposoby. Herrings in a variety of ways. Śledzie is a must in every polish home for Christmas. There are few standard recipes, like fish fillets marinated with oil, with onions (that is the basic, the traditional approach), or pickled in vinegar, or rolled up with piece of pickle (Rollmops), but as many different homes, each Lady of the house have her own family recipe. So, as you can imagine Śledzie comes in a wide variety of ways: with sauteed onions peppers and tomatoes (Gypsy way); in cream sauce; with raisins and almonds (Jewish way); under the cloud of mayo sauce (sometimes with shredded cheese); as a salad with potatoes and eggs; with hardboiled eggs and shredded beets, and many more… I hope you are getting the idea now. Whatever way you and your family like it, is the right way!

8.

 Karp na różne sposoby. Carp in various ways. For polish people, carp fish is the same as turkey for Americans. It is a meal, that is you eat only once a year, that is its attached to a specific holiday. Its similar idea, like when it comes to herrings. There is not only one, correct way of cooking the fish. There are many different recipes, depending on location and family likes. And there are many popular recipes, how to cook that fish. The most popular ones, will be cut in bell shaped, breaded, and fried; gently braised, and served in jelly; stuffed; mase with almonds and raisins (Jewish way); in honey sauce, and many more. again, whatever the family likes, is perfectly allowed.

9.

Zupa grzybowa lub sos grzybowy (Mushroom soup or mushroom sauce) – soup made from dry forest mushrooms. They are always picked during the summer months, and then dried over the fire, like a precious string of pearls. The simple vegetable broth, cooked with dry mushrooms, giving the soup that unforgettable flavor and aroma.  In some parts of Poland, instead of soup, there is a sauce (or type of gravy), made similar way, and used to serve with Kulebiak or dumplings.

10.

Kutia Wigilijna – cooked wheat pudding. Whole or cracked wheat or barley (in the olden days, rice was reserved for the aristocracy!), mixed with poppy seeds, apricots, dry cherries or cranberries, and sweetmeats (Bakalie) like figs, raisins, and nuts, and honey. Originally, Kutia was eaten only in eastern Poland (close borders with Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania), but till today there are hundreds of variations for Kutia, and it exists all over Eastern Europe.

11.

Makowiec (poppyseed cake) – this yeasted cake, rolled up as roulade, is one of the most traditional ones made for Christmas holiday. After bake looks, not incredibly special, simple log, but when you slice is, the magic happens. Pretty black and white swirl appears in every piece. Each household has its own, family recipe. In general, the flavor should not be overly sweet, but many, raisins, honey, or candied orange peel.

12.

Piernik (gingerbread) – gingerbread cake, or Christmas gingerbread cookies (or both, like in my childhood home). No matter which way they were prepared, they were always immensely aromatic, and full of spices (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, and honey).

* BONUS*

Kisiel z Żurawiny (Cranberry Jelly) – Kisiel is traditional thing in Poland. It is a juice, thickened with corn starch. Yes, in general has a gooey consistency (especially the ones, that is are instant and comes from the packet), but the one served on Christmas Eve supper, is a special one. Is a lot more liquidly, and it served always in a form of hot drink. Its is traditional, only in Eastern parts of the country, where the influences of Lithuanian and Ukrainian cuisine were intertwined with each other.  My family was Lithuanian (Vilna belong to Poland for centuries, today it is a capitol of Lithuania), so I our home, the cranberry drink was always made for this one day.

Krokiety z kapustą I grzybami – croquets with sauerkraut and mushrooms. This dish is an alternative the Kulebiak, with basically the same filling. The main difference between polish croquets and the ones for example is Spain and Portugal, is the dough. In Poland, we basically made savory crepes. The filling is placed in the middle, and the whole thing is folded, tucking all the sides on the way, to resemble rectangular envelope. Then the croquet, is dipped in beaten eggs, next in breadcrumbs and pan fries, until golden and crispy.

*THE MEANING OF THE DISHES ANAD INGREDIENTS*

BEETS – Beetroot not only symbolically adds energy to the soul, is as well a great replenishment for the body. Beet leaven, which is used to make borscht, is great for digestion and purifies the blood.

CABBAGE – Refer to the belief that cabbage gives vigor and strength, helping you to recover after winter. This vegetable is extremely hardy and healthy, so it is no wonder it symbolizes a long and healthy life.

MUSHROOMS – Mushrooms are forest treasures. According to the saying, “to grow like mushrooms after the rain”, anything can do: bank balance, happiness, and satisfaction with life. Mushrooms symbolize richness and wealth; therefore, they cannot be missing in soup or dumplings.

POPPYSEEDS – According to folk beliefs, poppy seeds brought wealth, which is why such important dishes on the Christmas Eve table are Kutia, noodles with poppy seeds or poppy seed cake.

DRIED FRUITS COMPOTE – pears were supposed to ensure longevity, apples were supposed to give love and health, and prunes were supposed to ward off evil.

GINGERBREAD – was associated with wealth, because it contains spices, such as cloves, pepper, anise, cardamom, which were once a good available to the chosen ones. That is why those once expensive spices are a symbol of luxury and all prosperity.

CRANBERRY – symbolizes perseverance, resilience, but also gifts from fate that can appear unexpectedly in everyone’s life. If you are looking for good luck and hope for a good fortune.

DRIED FRUITS AND NUTS – Sweet dried fruits (Bakalie) that can be found in makowiec, Kutia or Łazanki since ancient times have been luxury goods, which is why they are associated with prosperity and something special. Due to their sweet taste, dates and figs symbolize success in all endeavors, but also longevity, and besides, they were supposed to protect all household members, almonds are success and recognition, and nuts are a pure taste of victory.

BREAD – is a symbol of new life and prosperity.  Its consumption during the Christmas Eve dinner is to ensure prosperity in the coming year. Every Christmas Eve supper is started with Opłatek (thin, white wafer, that symbolizes, the bread and body of Christ)

THE GRAIN OF WHEAT – is an expression of holiness (used to bake bread and make a Holy host). It refers to good will and reconciliation. Wheat symbolizes good sowing and success in endeavors and projects. It favors success and happiness.

FISH – Fish is the basis of every Christmas Eve supper. They are one of the most important symbols, not only Christian. There were fishermen among Jesus’ disciples, and many of the parables refer to fishing.

CARP – this one time in year holiday fish symbolizes fertility, rebirth, abundance, and longevity. Some people keep the scales of Christmas carp in their wallets because they believe it will bring the wealth.