1. Chłodnik
When the golden sun shines over the wheat fields and birch forests of Poland, there is nothing more refreshing than a bowl of chłodnik – a cold soup as pink as a midsummer dahlia. This Polish summer dish is a symbol of freshness, with its enchanting color and gentle flavor. Chłodnik is made from red beets, creamy yogurt or kefir, shredded cucumber, bright green onions and fragrant dill. When served, the cold soup shimmers with pink and purple hues, garnished with slices of white boiled eggs and fresh dill sprigs like a vivid summer painting.
The taste of chłodnik is a gentle dialogue between the earthy sweetness of beets, the tartness of yogurt, the cool crunch of cucumber and the fresh aroma of herbs. In the sweltering heat of June or July, a spoonful of chłodnik is like a cool breeze from the old forest, spreading over the tip of the tongue and soothing even the most tired soul.
More than just a dish, chłodnik is part of Polish memories of summer family meals, hearty laughter around a wooden table under the shade of an old tree, and a love for simplicity and elegance.
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2. Pierogi and jagodami
When summer comes, the Polish forests are filled with the scent of ripe berries, and people gather to pick wild blueberries – jagody, the sweet purple fruit that smells of freedom and childhood. And that is when the Polish summer dish – pierogi z jagodami – was born.
Pierogi are a year-round Polish favorite, but summer brings a special version filled with fresh wild blueberries. The thin, chewy pastry is hand-molded to hold the sweet filling, then gently boiled in water. When served, pierogi z jagodami are often lightly topped with a layer of cool sour cream and sprinkled with snow-white sugar, creating a simple yet graceful work of culinary art.
Each bite of pierogi is a summer song – the natural sweetness and sourness of blueberries bursting on the tip of the tongue, mixed with light sour cream and soft, chewy pastry. It is the smell of Polish countryside, the warm sunshine of the forest, the gentle breeze of family picnics on the green grass. This Polish summer dish is not only delicious but also full of community – the pie-making sessions together, the chatter, the laughter, all create unforgettable summer memories.
3. Salt water
Polish summer is the season of lush vegetable gardens, when carrots, potatoes, peas, cucumbers and boiled eggs become delicious ingredients for a traditional salad – sałatka jarzynowa.
This Polish summer dish appears on almost every table, picnic table, and even simple family meal. Sałatka jarzynowa is a song of colors: the bright orange of boiled carrots, the pale yellow of soft potatoes, the bright green of young peas, the ivory white of boiled eggs, and the bright green of spring onions. All are diced into small cubes, gently mixed in a creamy mayonnaise sauce, with a touch of mustard to enhance the aroma.
When the weather is hot, a plate of cold salad on the table is like an oasis in the sunny desert. The smooth taste of mayonnaise embraces the cool vegetables, creating a pleasant and nutritious feeling. At every meal, sałatka jarzynowa is a bridge between generations – grandparents tell old stories, parents laugh and talk, children innocently pick up colorful pieces of salad.
4. The old man
This Polish summer dish is the embodiment of nature, rustic yet profound flavors. Pickled vegetables are washed, chopped and cooked in chicken or bone broth, accompanied by soft potatoes. When the soup is done, the chef often adds a little sour cream to balance the flavor, making the soup smooth and light green like newly sprouted buds.
The mild sourness of szczaw is not harsh but spreads on the tip of the tongue like a summer smile - gentle, fleeting but lingering. A spoonful of hot soup is light but refreshing, the aroma of pickled vegetables, the fatty smell of cream, the natural sweetness of potatoes blend delicately, soothing the heat of a long day.
Zupa szczawiowa is often served with split boiled eggs, the yolks as golden as the morning sun. It is not just a dish but a story about the harvest, about the hands that nurture it and the connection between people and the Polish land.
5. Kompot
It would be impossible to mention summer foods in Poland without forgetting kompot – a sweet and nostalgic drink. Unlike modern juices or smoothies, kompot is a fruit juice that is slowly simmered in a large pot, allowing the fruit to release its sweet aroma and color like a sunset over a wheat field.
In summer, Polish markets are filled with red cherries, purple plums, green apples, yellow pears, blackberries and even currants. All are washed, cut into bite-sized pieces and put into a pot with sugar and water. When boiled, the fruity aroma spreads throughout the kitchen like a sweet invitation.
A cool glass of kompot when poured carries a whole summer garden within it. The sweetness of plum, the slight sourness of cherry, the faint aroma of apple, all blend into a drink that both cools the body and nourishes the soul.
Kompot is not only for family parties but also a familiar drink in small eateries in the countryside, on rustic wooden tables under flower-filled porches. This Polish summer dish is a piece of childhood memories for many generations – simple, pure and full of love.
Discovering summer food in Poland is a journey to open your heart to a cuisine that is both rustic and sophisticated. It is a harmony between earth and sky, an echo of history and culture, a reminder to slow down and enjoy every flavor of life. If you have the opportunity to set foot in Poland in the summer, don't just admire the old streets, flower fields or lakes sparkling with golden sunlight - sit down and enjoy those simple dishes. Because in every bite, every sip, you will see a whole land appear - close, gentle and full of humanity.
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Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/mon-an-mua-he-o-ba-lan-v17527.aspx
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