I just made some tasty pierogi and they were my inspiration for today’s blog.

Nowadays Polish pierogi are quite common in United States. Pierogi were imported to North America by Polish immigrants more than one hundred years ago. This Polish food is most known in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Michigan, New York, Connecticut, Ohio, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Wisconsin and in Canadian Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario. Outside North America Polish pierogi are best known in Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and Netherlands. Ready-made frozen pierogi are available in some Polish food knowing countries in the world. Since United States, Canada or United Kingdom are among them, you can find frozen Polish pierogi in a grocery store or some Polish deli.

As far as I know in U.S. ruskie pierogi, those with potato-cheese-onion filling, are especially popular. It is only one of many original kinds of Polish pierogi, not at all most popular in Poland. So I would venture to say that someone who ate only ruskie pierogi do not even know what pierogi exactly are! Believe me, pierogi with potato and cheese filling have as many supporters, as adversaries. Here are the most popular pierogi fillings:

• *Farmer’s cheese with sugar
• *Meat with onions
• *Sauerkraut and mushrooms
• *Fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, plums)
• *Potato and cheese (ruskie)

A lot of people in Poland would put some sugar and sauer cream on them and that is how they would be served. The ones with meat or sauerkraut, after they are cooked (boiled) would be fried on the pan with onions and bacon.

Freezing home-made pierogi is a piece of cake and food will keep its great taste. Incomparable with ready-made, frozen pierogi. I should say that pierogi made by industrial machines are far, far away from original, traditional Polish pierogi. Usually the taste of the dough is not so bad, although it is not like it should be. Industrial dough has simply less delicate, gentle taste. In few worst cases I have tried, it tasted like a flour. It is always too thick.

However, what is much more disappointing is the filling. Its taste is completely incomparable to what you can achieve at home. As I think this does not require any explanation.

As they say frozen food is for people. Really, I think many times it’s great. And honestly – I buy it from time to time. But whenever I have some time and willingness, I make Polish pierogi at my own.

My mom makes really good ones. I remember that each time she would make pierogi, she would have to make few different types. Each one of us liked something different. I like the ones with sauerkraut and mushrooms, my dad and my older brother love the ones with sweet cheese and fresh fruity pierogi are my younger brother’s favorite. Surprisingly, my mom never really liked pierogi. She would only have one or two, just to taste them

In some cities, where the community of Poles was at one time notable pierogi fests are being organized. Probably the best known is Pierogi Fest in Whiting, Indiana, www.pierogifest.net. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania there is a so-called Great Pierogi Race during every Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game. In Poland annual pierogi fests are organized in Cracow (Festiwal Pierogow) and in Gdansk (Pierogi Fest).

There are so many websites where you can find pierogi recipes (http://bestpierogi.com/) ,so start searching and good luck! Once you will make them for the first time, you will see that it is not so hard!

Smacznego!

Do następnego razu! (Till next time…)