Mar. 13, 2013 - Issue #908: In Your Face
Provenance
Six things about pierogi
The name game
The Eastern European staple has about 12 different spelling variations, but "pierogi" is the most common English spelling. In Poland for example, pierogi is actually plural, while the singular is pieróg, but really, when would there be an instance when you are talking about just one pierogi? Other names aside from the spelling variations include kalduny in Belarus, pirukad in Estonia, koldūnai in Lithuania and verenyky in Ukraine.
Not just for dinner
Think potato, cheese and savoury fillings are the only pierogi flavour options? Think again. Dessert variations are popular among many cultures as well, and these pierogi are filled with fruit such as cherries, strawberries, saskatoon berries, raspberries, peaches or jam.
One big dumpling
Alberta towns love their giant roadside statues, and Glendon is no exception. The village, with a recorded population of 486 according to the 2011 census, unveiled its roadside tribute to the pierogi in 1993. Complete with a fork, the monument is 7.6 metres (24.9 feet) in height. Right next to the attraction is the Perogy Cafe to satisfy any pierogi cravings the statue may cause.
Holy pierogi!
Pierogi is said to be one of the only Polish dishes to have its own patron saint. The phrase "Swiety Jacek z pierogami!" (St Hyacinth and his pierogi!), an old expression of surprise, is roughly the equivalent of exclaiming "good grief" or "holy smokes!"
Pierogi prowess
Ten students from a catering school in Wroclaw, Poland secured the Guinness World Record for pierogi making. The team managed to assemble 1663 pierogi—approximately 90 lbs' worth—in 100 minutes.
The real deal
If you ever venture over to Poland, be sure to stop in at a Pierogarnia location. The restaurants specialize in pierogi—not to mention other Polish delicacies. V vueweekly.com comments: powered by Disqus
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