Pierogis. Kielbasa. Kapusta. Paczckis.
Yum.
If you recognize all of these dishes, hello, fellow Pole. If you don’t, there will be a terrific opportunity to get acquainted this weekend at the Polish Food Festival at St. Joseph’s Polish Roman Catholic Church in Denver.
You’ll thank me, because this food is deeeelish.
I grew up in Chicopee, Mass., a small ‘burb in the western part of the state. With its large Polish community, Chicopee every year held a Kielbasa Festival, a celebration of everything Polish.
(In fact, the city used to brag that it had the World’s Largest Kielbasa, which we shelled out 50 cents to see, climbing up a staircase along a tent for a peek at the massive sausage, which often was the size of a car. Trust me: It was awesome.)
Folks would dance the polka to live bands (I always got stuck dancing with my mom, hopping backward all the while as she shoved me around the floor), and dine on pierogis, golombkis, kapusta and paczki.
Pierogis aren’t the rarity in Colorado that they used to be; they seem to be everywhere these days, even at farmers’ markets in the Denver area. The Pierogi Factory and Baba & Pop’s Kitchen both sell them at the smallish Cherry Creek Farmer’s Market.
While I still make my own — potato and cheese, cabbage and mushroom, even blueberry — the packaged ones are nearly as good.
Plus, this weekend you’ll be treated to the sights and sounds of Polish culture, too.
If you’re lucky, maybe someone’s mother will drag you onto the dance floor for a Polka.
Smacznego (bon appetit)!
If you go:
Fourth annual Polish Food Festival at St. Joseph’s Polish Catholic Church on Saturday, Aug. 20, from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 21 from noon to 7 p.m. 517 E. 46th Ave. in Denver.
