What do people eat in Poland?

Diet

Because workdays begin early, Poles often have only a light breakfast, taking a sandwich to eat at 10.00 am. The main meal consists of soup, meat or fish, salad, and potatoes. Pastries or ice cream are consumed for a late-afternoon snack. Some typical dishes include pierogi (dumplings with cream cheese and potatoes), uszka (a kind of ravioli), and bigos (sausage, mushroom, cabbage). Pork is more popular than beef.

Mealtime

Poles usually eat "niadanie" (breakfast) before 8 AM. The main meal, "obiad," is at 3 p.m. and is the meal the family expects to gather for. The evening meal, "kolacja," is smaller and is eaten before 8:30 PM.

The continental style of eating is used. Both hands (not the elbows) are kept above the table during the meal. Eating should not begin until everyone has been served and the host or head of the family has already started. When eating as a guest, it is impolite not to finish one's first helping.

Meals are usually eaten at home (apart from “second breakfast,” traditionally eaten at school or work). Some children may eat dinner at the school's canteen (lunchroom). Sometimes people eat in the city, which is becoming more common, but overall meals at home are preferred.

Popular Poland Recipes

Babka (Polish Easter Bread) - Bread
Bitka (Polish Beef Dish) - Main Dish
Chicken Broth - Side Dish
Ciasteczka Z Makiem (Polish Poppy Seed Cookies) - Dessert
Czarnina (Duck Soup) - Side Dish
Fladra Z Grzybami (Flounder with Mushrooms) - Main Dish
Golabki (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls) - Main Dish
Kapusta kiszona z grzybami (stewed sauerkraut) - Side Dish
Klopsy (Meatloaf) - Main Dish
Pierogi (Stuffed Dumplings with Cottage Cheese Filling and Sour Cream Gravy) - Main Dish
Pierogi (Stuffed Dumplings with Sauerkraut Filling) - Main Dish
Pierogies With Cottage Cheese - Main Dish
Placki Kartoflane (Potato Pancakes) - Main Dish
Polish Beef Soup with Liver Balls - Side Dish
Polish Rice Cake - Dessert
Zupa Kartoflana (Potato Soup) - Side Dish

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