Authentic Polish Sauerkraut Pierogi Recipe That Tastes Like Christmas! (2024)

FAQs

What is the Christmas tradition of pierogies? ›

Poland's Christmas Eve/Wigilia tradition wouldn't be complete without the world-famous pierogi! The half-circular Polish dumplings make an appearance on Wigilia tables in every Polish household and for many, they are the favorite of the 12 courses served during the traditional dinner.

Pierogi ruskie, which are stuffed with a mixture of potatoes and quark cheese, are one of the most popular varieties of pierogi nowadays. The name, which is commonly translated as 'Russian dumplings', misleads foreigners and Poles alike. The dish doesn't have any Russian origins at all.

The most famous is the Biłgoraj pierogi stuffed with buckwheat, potatoes, and cheese and then baked in the oven. Pierogi are an important part of Polish festive seasons, particularly Christmas Eve (Wigilia supper) and Christmastide.

In Poland, the most traditional way of eating pierogi is boiled and served with melted butter and fried onions. However, they can also be served with sour cream or bacon bits. Ketchup and tomato sauce are not traditional toppings, but they can be used as well.

Sometimes on Christmas Eve both adults and children go to their neighbors and family. As a reward, they receive money or sweets. When midnight comes many Polish people are going to the Christmas mass. Pasterka is a midnight mass celebrated by Roman Catholics during Christmas between 24 and 25 December across Poland.

Varenyky is the more commonly used term in Ukraine, often eaten with sweet fillings, while pierogi are the national dish of Poland. Different to pelmeni as they are usually vegetarian, varenyky and pierogi can be served fried in butter, usually as an appetiser or a dessert.

The perogy has roots in Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Ukraine, with slight differences between each country on the names and fillings. Ukrainian perogies, known as varenyky, can be stuffed with sweet or savoury fillings.

Also called perogi or perogy, Polish pierogi (pronounced pih-ROH-ghee) or homemade pierogies are small half-moon dumplings. They're also chock-full of fabulous fillings. Interestingly, the word pierogi is actually plural. But the singular form pieróg is hardly ever used.

The word 'varenyky' comes from the Ukrainian word 'varyty´ or 'to boil' because this product is cooked in boiling water. This comfort food is spelled many different ways: pyrohy, pyrogy, pyrogie, pierogi, perogi and others. We've chosen the phonetic spelling of the Ukrainian pronunciation which is 'pyrohy'.

Boiling Pierogi is the most popular method of cooking Pierogi because it adds no additional calories to your meal. It also offers a soft, delicate texture which is the more traditional way of eating Polish pierogi.

What country makes the best pierogies? ›

In Ukraine, they're called varenyky. But to Poland, and most of the rest of the world, they're pierogi. The humble boiled dumplings are one of Poland's most beloved dishes, as well as its culinary symbol across the world – homesick Poles can find satisfying pierogi everywhere from Shanghai to London.

The English word "pierogi" comes from Polish pierogi [pʲɛˈrɔgʲi], which is the plural form of pieróg [ˈpʲɛruk], a generic term for filled dumplings.

Pork recipes are savory meats that always taste good with pierogi. We love serving pierogies with Parmesan pork chops or pork chops with apple chutney. Both of these thing boneless pork chop recipes are easy and inexpensive. Pan-seared pork chops are a fast and easy food that goes with pierogies.

Pierogi are a symbol of ethnic pride in Polish diaspora communities and are the central feature of numerous festivals in the United States and Canada, including one held annually in Whiting, Indiana, near Chicago and its large Polish American population, and another held in Pittsburgh.

Pierogies came to Canada with Polish and Ukrainian immigrants. A large wave of immigrants from Poland, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries occurred in the late 19th century until the beginning of World War I. While people from these nations had migrated to Canada before, this was now on a much larger scale.

Traditional Christmas dinner features turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and vegetables. Other types of poultry, roast beef, or ham, are also used.

A bit of pierogi history

Pierogi arrived on Polish territories in the 13th century. The were probably imported from the Far East via eastern neighbors such as Kievian Rus (today's Ukraine) perhaps thanks to Hyacinth of Poland (a monk in a Kiev monastery who became patron saint of pierogi).