The holiday season is a great time to honor your heritage, and that includes serving delicious traditional foods. In Poland, Christmas Eve dinner is one of the most important events of the year, when families enjoy a feast of 12 dishes. Even if you don't want to include all the traditional menu items in your holiday celebrations, adding some of the following Polish favorites is sure to delight family and friends. 

What Are Some Traditional Polish Christmas Eve Dinner Foods?

1. Cabbage Rolls 

Cabbage rolls are popular year-round. They are typically made using beef or pork and cooked in a tomato sauce, but the rolls made for Christmas Eve dinner are different. In Poland, the holiday feast is vegetarian, so the cabbage rolls for that meal are made by stuffing the cabbage leaves with a mix of rice, barley, and dried mushrooms, then simmered in a vegetable sauce. 

2. Sauerkraut 

Sauerkraut is a staple of Polish cuisine and takes center stage in holiday dinners. The fermented cabbage is served as a side dish, or braised and used as a stuffing for pierogi. Although Polish sausage isn't typically on the Christmas Eve dinner menu, kielbasa and sauerkraut are popular at any Polish holiday gathering. You can easily find some at your local international market to bring home for guests. 

3. Pierogi

Pierogi are dumplings, and they can be found on most Polish menus. For the holidays, they are typically stuffed with sauerkraut, cabbage, dried mushrooms, or cheese. They're also usually dipped in sour cream for additional flavor. Some cooks also prepare sweet pierogi that are stuffed with plums and poppy seeds.

4. Borscht 

With its bright red hue, borscht is a colorful addition to any holiday dinner table. The traditional Polish soup is made with fermented beets, giving it a distinctive color. It's also mixed with vegetable broth and mushrooms and served with small dumplings filled with dried mushrooms and onions. 

5. Gingerbread 

Gingerbread is a common Polish dessert. Traditional gingerbread is made with plenty of cinnamon, ginger, and gloves, and prepared several days in advance. Although gingerbread cake with plum preserves is part of the traditional feast, you can also make small gingerbread cookies for decorating the tree.

If you want to add some Polish dishes to your holiday dinner menu, visit JJ International Delicatessen in Port Jervis, NY, for a wide selection of international foods. This world market has served the area since 2003. They offer specialty meats and European grocery items that you won't find in other local shops. Call (845) 858-1142 to place an order, or visit them online to learn more about their options.