As Poland is more than 80 per cent Catholic, the Wigilia meal is meat-free with a main course of fish, most famously carp, which is meant to bring good fortune.
Do Polish eat carp for Christmas?
In Poland, the dish is one of 12 in a Christmas Eve feast known as the Wigilia supper. The carp’s role even extends beyond the dinner plate: In all three cultures, it’s common for family members to keep the fish’s scales in their wallets for good luck.
What fish do Polish eat at Christmas?
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.
Which countries eat carp on Christmas?
Slovakia, Poland, and the Czech Republic are the main carp eaters at Christmas time. But there are also many families in Austria, Germany, and Croatia who celebrate Christmas with carp.
What is traditional Polish Christmas food?
Pierogi are a Polish tradition for Christmas (Wigilia) but we like to eat them year-round. There are different varieties of pierogi. My personal favorites are meat (mięsne) and potato + cheese (ruskie).
What are the 12 traditional Polish Christmas dishes?
While I keep it simple with heavenly cheese-stuffed pierogies, this is what the traditional 12-dish Polish Christmas Eve supper looks like.
- Red Borscht.
- Mushroom Soup.
- Christmas Eve Carp.
- Carp Jewish Style.
- Pierogi.
- Sauerkraut.
- Cabbage rolls.
- Kutia.
Is carp a Polish dish?
There is no exaggeration in stating that carp is a culinary symbol of Polish Christmas Eve. On this day, Poles usually eat the fish fried in batter or breadcrumbs, served cold in a jelly, or simmered with sweet seasonings – the so-called Jewish carp recipe.
What are 7 fishes Christmas Eve?
The Feast of the Seven Fishes is the annual Christmas Eve vigil and epic seafood feast that has grown into the most beloved meal of the year in Italian-American households. Steeped in tradition, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is the centerpiece meal of the entire holiday season.
Why do Polish not eat meat on Christmas Eve?
Not eating meat
Leaving a chair empty at the Christmas table may be one of the most popular customs, but few people know its interesting history. Christmas in Poland is a pescatarian’s dream. In strict keeping with old Catholic tradition, Poles usually abstain from meat and hard liquor on Christmas Eve.
Do humans eat carp?
Crucian carp, a European species that is relatively rare in North America, is said by some to be the best to try for people new to eating carp. For US Anglers, Bighead Carp and Silver Carp are among the tastiest. Common Carp are edible, but they have much darker meat and a bit stronger flavor.
What is the tradition of eating fish on Christmas Eve?
The long tradition of eating seafood on Christmas Eve dates from the Roman Catholic tradition of abstaining from eating meat on the eve of a feast day. As no meat or animal fat could be used on such days, observant Catholics would instead eat fish (typically fried in oil).
Who eats fish on Christmas Day?
Surprising to many, the Feast of the 7 Fishes is most commonly celebrated in southern regions of Italy including Sicily and Calabria. So why do Italians eat fish around Christmas and why do they eat it on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas day? This tradition is actually related to the Catholic religion.
What is the main food 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.
What is served at Polish Christmas Eve dinner?
The Wigilia supper
Fish provides the main dish of the Christmas Eve feast across Poland. There are variations of carp fillet, carp in aspic, gefilte fish (Jewish-style carp), sweet with onions, carrots, almonds and raisins. Accompaniments consist of cabbage, cooked red or sauerkraut with apple salad.
What is Polish Christmas Eve 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 does Vigilia mean in Polish?
Name of this special feast in the Polish language is derived directly from the Latin ‘vigilia’ meaning wakefulness. It’s the most important part of Christmas in Poland.
What fish do Polish people eat?
Herring and carp
Herring, known throughout the ages and to all generations of Polish cooks, is today chiefly eaten raw and dressed with cream or oil.
Is carp a cheap fish?
Unfortunately, to many in the U.S. Carp are seen to have very little sporting value and even less food value. This is strange considering the view of carp with the rest of the world. In Asia, carp is a primer food fish while in Europe, the sporting value of carp far surpasses that of any other fish.
What is Christmas fish?
Carp is an oily fresh water fish that tastes briny and mildly fishy, with a flaky and soft flesh. It will be lightly sautéed in an oil and butter mixture for a thin golden brown crust and served as one of the 12 dishes presented during Christmas Eve dinner.
Why do we eat 7 fish on Christmas Eve?
The Feast of the Seven Fishes, or “Festa dei Sette Pesci”, is a Christmas Eve tradition in many Italian households. Most popular in Southern Italy and in Italian-American homes, this Christmas Eve feast stems from Catholics abstaining from meat in commemoration of waiting for the birth of baby Jesus.
Which countries eat fish on Christmas Eve?
Returning to Europe, fish is also the main festive focus in Italy and Portugal, where like Poland, the main Christmas meal is held on Christmas Eve. For the Portuguese, it has to be salt cod, which requires soaking in fresh water for a few days before it can be cooked.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.