What Are The 12 Traditional Polish Christmas Dishes?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
  • Red Borscht.
  • Mushroom Soup.
  • Christmas Eve Carp.
  • Carp Jewish Style.
  • Pierogi.
  • Sauerkraut.
  • Cabbage rolls.
  • Kutia.

What do the 12 dishes in Poland represent?

Why do Poles eat 12 dishes during the Christmas Eve dinner? Tradition calls for 12 traditional courses to be served during the Polish Christmas Eve. This number is a symbol of wealth , the 12 Apostles and a representation of the 12 months of the year.

What are the 12 dishes for Polish Christmas Eve?

  • Pierniki // Polish Gingerbread. ...
  • Kapusta z Groszek // Cabbage with Split Peas. ...
  • Jarzynowa Sałatka // Vegetable Salad. ...
  • Karp // Carp: Fried or Baked in Aspic. ...
  • Mushroom and Cabbage Pierogi. ...
  • Rice Stuffed Cabbage Rolls // Gołąbki. ...
  • Challah // Plaited Jewish bread.

What do they eat at Christmas in Poland?

Carp provides a main component of the Christmas Eve meal across Poland; carp fillet, carp in aspic and gefilte fish. Universal Polish Christmas foods are pierogi as well as some herring dishes , and for dessert, makowiec or noodles with poppy seed. Often, there is a compote of dry fruits for a drink.

What is the Polish Christmas Eve dinner called?

Christmas Eve Supper, known as wigilia , is one of the most longstanding and widely cherished of Polish rituals. In the vast majority of homes, both among believers or non-believers, a formal meal is celebrated and served on the table which is covered with a white tablecloth.

What is the most common food eaten in Poland?

Pierogi . Pierogi are filled dumplings containing either meat, vegetables, cheese, fruit or chocolate. Pierogi is undoubtedly Poland’s most famous and simple comfort food. But after tasting one of these delicious filled dumplings, you’re likely to find yourself craving more.

What is Santa called in Poland?

In Polish, he’s called Gwiazdor (gvia-zdoohr) and he’s an older fellow dressed a bit like a bishop. He not only carries presents with him but also the aforementioned birch switch – if you’ve been bad, you’d better watch out.

What does the 7 fishes stand for?

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is part of the Italian-American Christmas Eve celebration, although it is not called that in Italy and is not a “feast” in the sense of “holiday,” but rather a grand meal. ... This celebration commemorates the wait, the Vigilia di Natale, for the midnight birth of the baby Jesus .

How do you pronounce wigilia in Polish?

  1. IPA: /vjiˈɡji.lja/
  2. Audio. (file)

Why is Polish Christmas on 24th?

Many Poles wait until the first star appears in the sky before sitting down to eat family dinner on 24th December. This tradition commemorates the Star of Bethlehem , which guided the Wise Men to the birthplace of Jesus Christ.

Who hangs Christmas trees upside down?

Displaying a Christmas tree upside-down may date back to the 7th century. Legend has it that Boniface, a Benedictine monk , used the triangular shape of a fir tree to explain the Holy Trinity to pagans in Germany. It was subsequently hung end-over-end in celebration of Christianity.

Is Christmas still banned in Russia?

Following the revolution in 1917, Christmas was banned as a religious holiday in 1929 and Christmas Trees were banned until 1935 when they turned into ‘New Year’ Trees! ... But it’s still a quieter and smaller holiday in Russia after the big New Year celebrations.

Where is the best Christmas market in Poland?

Wroclaw Christmas Market is regarded as one of the best Christmas markets in Poland and one of the most beautiful in Europe; it is open from mid-November to the end of December.

What are the 7 fishes for Christmas Eve dinner?

Typical “fishes” include baccalà (salt cod), frutti di mare (shellfish), capitone (eel), calamari (squid), scungilli (conch meat) and vongole (clams) . Fried vegetables are also a popular accompaniment to the fish; expect fried artichokes, pickled vegetables, fried squash blossoms, and other treats.

What is a typical Polish dinner?

A traditional Polish dinner is composed of three courses, beginning with a soup like the popular rosół broth and tomato soup. At restaurants, the soups are followed by an appetizer such as herring (prepared in either cream, oil, or in aspic); or other cured meats and vegetable salads.

What does Vigilia mean in Polish?

Wigilia (Polish pronunciation: [vjiˈɡjilja]) is the traditional Christmas Eve vigil supper in Poland, held on December 24. ... The custom is sometimes referred to as “wieczerza” or “wieczerza wigilijna”, in Old Polish meaning evening repast, linked to the late church service, Vespers from the Latin.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.