TO MY FELLOW POLISH PEOPLE

HELLO GUYS AND DOLLS:



HOPING YOU ALL HAD A GREAT WEEKEND AND READY TO START A NEW WEEK IN OCTOBER.  TODAY WE START OFF WITH SOME HOLIDAYS:

CHILDREN'S DAY - I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, EVERYDAY IS CHILDREN'S DAY.  I DON'T MEAN GIFTS, BUT WITH LOVE, UNDERSTANDING, LOADS OF HUGS AND KISSES.  THAT IS WHAT THEY NEED AND WHY?  IT WILL HELP THEM GROW UP WITH LOVE, RESPECT NOT ONLY TO YOU PARENTS BUT FOR THEIR CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE.  HOW MANY KIDS ARE OUT THERE, ABUSED, IN SHELTERS AND LETS FACE IT EVEN MURDERED BY MOTHERS AND FATHERS?  I COULD CRY EVERY TIME I HEAR A STORY ON THE NEWS LIKE THAT.  WE ALL HAVE TO FOLLOW THE RULE OF LOVING AND TRYING TO MAKE THEIR LIVES HAPPY NO MATTER THE COST.

THIS SHOULD GO OVER GREAT AT WORK, "TAKE YOUR TEDDY BEAR TO WORK DAY."  I'M GLAD I RETIRED AND DON'T HAVE A STUFFED TEDDY.  A DOLL IN A TEDDY SOUNDS NICE, GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER JOEY Z.  SORRY DOLLS.

WE HAVE LOADS OF MONTHLY HOLIDAYS IN OCTOBER AND I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THIS ONE TODAY.  "POLISH-AMERICA HERITAGE MONTH."  YOU ALL KNOW THAT I'M POLISH AND PROUD OF IT.  WHEN I GREW UP WE LIVED IN A POLISH NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A GREAT CHURCH, POLISH STORES AND PEOPLE WHO CARED ABOUT THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.  IT WAS FRIENDLY, CLEAN AND PEOPLE WERE NOT AFRAID TO WALK THE STREETS AT NIGHT OR FOR US KIDS TO PLAY UNTIL YOU HEARD MOM YELL YOUR NAME TO GET YOUR BUTT IN.  THE SAME WENT TO MY GRANDMOTHER'S NEIGHBORHOOD, THOSE DAYS ARE GONE AND I DON'T THINK THEY WILL EVER RETURN.  THERE HAS BEEN A REJUVENATION IN MY OLD HOOD WITH THE NEW POLISH GENERATION, ALL I CAN SAY IS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.  TO MY POLISH READERS, KEEP THOSE TRADITIONS WE SHARED GROWING UP, CHRISTMAS, EASTER WITH ALL THE SIGNIFICANT CEREMONIES AND THE GOOD TIMES ASSOCIATED WITH THEM.

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND A WONDERFUL EVENING.

TALKING POLISH AGAIN, NIX THE PUPPETS

Happy Tuesday Guys and Dolls:

Let me start off today on a sarcastic note just because it’s “PUPPET DAY.” I hated puppets as a kid and I still do. I’d like to have a long pair of scissors and snip those strings as they are bouncing around in front of that curtain yelling with those high pitched voices. There I said it I hate puppets now give me a good ventriloquist act and I’m ready to go.

Now here is a holiday I can really relate to “PIGS IN A BLANKET DAY” or golabki as us Polish people like to call them. In the US the term “pigs in a blanket” refers to hot dogs or those Vienna sausages wrapped in biscuit dough or other dough and baked. There are a number of variations on pigs in a blanket from around the world but to me the one and only is the Polish golabki. My two grandmothers made complete opposite kinds of golabki, both I imagine used the same meat a combination of beef and pork. Granny O’s cabbage was a softer texture and covered with tomato sauce as a topping. Granny Z’s cabbage was firmer and no sauce on top more of a drier golabki but as good. Now my mother of course followed Granny O’s recipe and I have to admit made a good pig in the blanket. Our son Jeff tried making them a couple years ago as he dabbles in cooking and to our surprise created a great golabki dish. I’ve been told the secret is in the type of cabbage to use by my sweet Polish friend I work with. Roe and I located a Polish restaurant here in Florida and had lunch one day but were disappointed in the food very bland and lacked the right zip as I call it. Our search will continue as it is still going for the closest thing to a Trenton Tomato Pie.

I’m getting hungry now and it’s not even close to lunch think I’ll snack on some pretzels till then. Have a great day Guys and Dolls and as always be careful out there.

THANKS FOR THE PACZKI GRANNY

It’s Punch Keys Speakies:

Today we have reason to celebrate, yesterday was a really dud of a day. Today we honor the Polish Paczki or as it is pronounced (Punch Key). What is this great Polish word, mean simply a pastry or doughnut but not just any doughnut? It is a deep friend piece of dough shaped like a jelly donut and covered with powder sugar, icing or pieces of orange zest. Even some sneaky cooks place a small amount of Spiritus (pure grain alcohol) to the dough before cooking. You can stuff them with jelly, cream, blueberries and apples if you like. There was only one Paczki baker in our family and that was Granny Orlowski, my grandmother. As a kid I watched her throughout the entire preparation and baking procedure. She had all of her ingredients but never gave out her secret way of making them. All I know is that I watched them boil in the oil and float to the top of the pot golden brown and light as a feather. She then set them aside covered them in powder sugar and told me to wait till they cooled. They were so light and that powder sugar made them a treat from heaven with a glass of milk to wash them down. I’m glad I was subject to a great Polish treat that’s been around since the Middle Ages in Poland.

It’s a great day for food lovers for today is also “CHILI DAY.” A few weeks ago we had our annual Chili Cook-off at work and I’m proud to say Roe’s chili took first place and a 3 time champion since I’ve worked here. No matter what kind of chili you prefer with beans or no beans, today is the day to enjoy that bowl of warm rib sticking stuff.

Get this holiday “National Sleeping Day”, what a way to celebrate this one, eat a bowl of chili for lunch and after that take a nap at work or if you are off today plop down on that easy chair close those eyes and take a snooze for a few hours. Tomorrow is the last day of February so I think I’ll start getting ready for March and just wish all my Guys and Dolls “Happy Leap Year Birthdays and Anniversaries.” See you in March.

THE DAY HAS COME; THE PACZKI ARE HERE

Good Morning Speakies:

Well Monday is here again, grab your coffee, give that last yawn and start your day off with a little enthusiasm if you can. Hope you all had a great weekend. NOW TO MAKE THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: TODAY IS “PACZKI DAY.”

Paczki are a traditional Polish pastry or to me similar to a cream filled or jelly donut. By the way when I was real little I called them “Punchski.” The Polish pronunciation could also be “Paczek.” A paczki is a deep fried piece of dough shaped into a flattened sphere. They are made from rich dough containing eggs, fats, sugar and milk. They can be filled with cream, various jellies, fruit fillings, even glazed or as my grandmother did just covered in powder sugar. They were light and airy and I would attack them as soon as they cooled a little. They were great for breakfast or a snack with coffee or milk. I really do miss granny’s cooking and baking. Most of her recipes went with her to heaven so she must be cooking up a storm there. In the US cities that have large Polish communities like Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo and Cleveland “Paczki Day”, is celebrated on the day before Ash Wednesday, some cities even hold parades. I can see it now just like Mardi Gras paczki being tossed off of floats into the crowds who are screaming for more. I can just see the cream, jelly and fruit filling all over the faces of the adoring fans of paczki. I’m proud to be Polish and write about the things I remember growing up, the food, the traditions and the love of my family. So if you are Polish or not go out and find a paczki and treat yourself to something really tasty.

Here’s something that starts to frost me and say “What’s the matter with people these days.” I read a news article about some guy in San Francisco that wants to ban circumcisions on baby boys. First banning French Fries in Frisco and now circumcisions aren’t there more important things in this world and life to be concerned about. This is going to bring on a JoeyZ tirade on the issues we should face instead of the ones some village idiots come up with. BEWARE GUYS AND DOLLS, GET’S MY GANDER IS RETURNING SOON. Have a great day.

IT'S COMING MONDAY

BE PREPARED FOR PACZKI.

TOOK THE DAY OFF

Sorry Speakies:

Took the day off to enjoy it with my wife and do a few things together, like lunch, some household purchases and the never ending pick up the prescriptions from the pharmacy. I'll be back tomorrow for sure. I had a reader from High Springs, Florida check in coming from a blog on Kalina Kielbasa. Welcome Kielbasa lover Speakie, if you are originally from Trenton, say where and if you find Kalina Kielbasa let JoeyZ know. See you Guys and Dolls in the a.m.

PLACKI, KISZKA AND WEDDINGS

Happy Tuesday Speakies:

Last night I was thinking of pancakes, not the usual breakfast pancakes but what my granny use to make placki kartoflane or potato pancakes. She made them on the thin side with just a little oil left on them to make them nice and moist. I use to roll them up like a piece of lunch meat and chomp away. She also made a corn placki filled with whole corn and just as tasty. Some people eat them with sour cream but I loved them both plain.

I just thought of another dish she made kiszka, actually she bought the kiszka at the local polish store. Kiszka is blood sausage made with meat and barley or rice inside. Granny use to fry it in oil on the stove and if I remember right she then put the pan in the oven to bake it until the skin cracked open. We use to cut a piece and dig in with a slice of fresh rye bread and beet horseradish. Talk about heaven there you have some good eating Polish food. I checked the internet and located a Polish restaurant in Longwood, Florida called Polonia, the menu looks good and one day Roe and I will have to give it a try.

Do you remember going to weddings as a kid? My mother’s side of the family had a lot of relatives and when someone got married everyone was invited. My parents would go the wedding at church in the morning and the reception with JoeyZ tagging along at night. The Polish church in my grandparent’s neighborhood usually held the wedding reception in the upper or lower hall of the school building. There was a bar set up all night long and it seems everyone drank high-balls and drank beer, the kid’s unlimited soda. All the food was cooked at the hall by the Polish ladies that cooked in school or from the Polish Catholic War Veterans Club Women’s Auxiliary. All the food was of Polish variety and very good. The music played was always by a Polka band and was non-stop all evening long with dancing and more drinking to top if off.

There you go more Polish memories from the past. Have a great day Guys and Dolls and sit back and recall your family traditions.

BRING ON THE KIELBASA, STASH

Happy Hump Day Guys and Dolls:

Just as a reminder, tonight on Man vs. Food at 9:00 p.m. on the Travel Channel, “The Man” visits the Jersey Boardwalk and featured is Marucas Tomato Pies. Now I saw a preview and the pie looks different than I remember, so we will have to see what is up. But for all those transplants, I’m sure the show will bring back memories of the boardwalk and food.

That’s it I’m thinking of ethnic food once again that I miss eating. Being from Polish decent my grandmother was a great Polish cook and she made some wonderful traditional dishes especially over the Christmas and Easter Holidays. What the hell Granny made good stuff all the time. These dishes haunt my memory as well as my stomach so here is a list of some of food I truly miss.

Over the Easter Holidays we had: A large ham, coleslaw, potato salad, beets, hard boiled colored eggs, all kinds of breads and desserts, truly a Polish feast. Christmas Eve was our big meal, no meat served at all. Always a fresh flounder or cod, beet soup and other great side dishes.

Here are some of the Polish food I crave once again:

A good Polish Kielbasa the kind hanging on the rack with some garlic.

Golabki or Stuffed Cabbage.

Pierogi they could be stuffed with potatoes, cheese, sauerkraut or ground meat, more like a small meatballs inside. I'll take them all.

Placki – Potato pancakes.

Kluski Noodles – Granny made a killer chicken soup with kluski noodles, fresh white meat of chicken, carrots and celery. What a treat on a cold winter’s day.

Paczki – Donuts light and airy.

Kiszka – Blood sausage filled with rice and meat. She boiled it on the stove and than into the oven until the skin cracked open and you just dug in.

And finally Kapusta (Cabbage), granny made it with mashed potatoes, barley and bits of meat almost like a soup.

One more item I forgot, she made the best salmon cakes and French fries on a Friday, Roe wishes to this date she had the original recipe, but that’s gone with grandma to the grave.

I’m sure there are a number of different nationalities that read my blog, so if you have memories of your favorite ethnic dishes or memories of your mom or granny’s cooking feel free to comment. Have a great day and go out and eat. I only wish I could find a good Polish place here.

JUST TO LET YOU KNOW

HELLO SPEAKIES:

SONG NUMBER ONE IS IN HONOR OF MY POST OF THE DAY. ENJOY THE DAY FELLOW SPEAKIES.

HELLO TONI AND IT'S PACZKI DAY

Happy Tuesday Speakies:

I had a nice surprise yesterday, I heard from an old friend I use to work with in Jersey through Face Book, it was nice to hear from you Toni, one of the nicest people I worked with. Let’s stay in touch.

Let’s see what observances we can get bang the drum for today.

Fastnachts Day – Pennsylvania Dutch – Shrove Tuesday.

Pancake Day – I use to love them as a kid, I don’t think I’ve had pancakes in years.

Mardi Gras Day – It’s the last big day of celebration, so drink and throw beads all day and night long. Lent starts on Wednesday with Ash Wednesday.
Washington’s Birthday – Happy “B” Day Georgie.

Paczki Day - Pączek is a deep-fried piece of dough shaped into a flattened sphere and filled with confiture or other sweet filling. Pączki are usually covered with powdered sugar, icing or bits of dried orange zest. A small amount of grain alcohol (traditionally, Spiritus) is added to the dough before cooking; as it evaporates, it prevents the absorption of oil deep into the dough. I remember my grandmother making these all the time, she made hers plain with powdered sugar on top served hot, drops of remembrance are falling now from my mouth. She always called them Punchski. To have some of those days back.

Have a great day Guys and Dolls.

STO LAT HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOEY

Joey

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MANY MORE TO COME. AS WE SAY IN POLISH

Sto Lat, Sto Lat, Niech Zyje Zyje Nam.

Good Luck, Good Cheer, May You Live 100 Years.

Have a great day, Love You Very Much.

Love, Dad

LET'S TALK POLISH HERE

Good Morning Guys and Dolls:

A top of the morning to you all and I’m not even Irish. Let’s see what we observe today in the way of holidays:
Make a Hat Day
National Thank You Day – And don’t forget about it today.
The Lone Ranger Day – Debuted on TV in 1949. Here’s a little quiz for you. Hollywood is making a remake of the Lone Ranger; my question is who will play Tonto? Answer tomorrow; send me your answers and let’s get a little action flowing here.

Now I’m sure you have heard about Italian Water Ice, very famous in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Last night I saw a food show featuring Polish Water Ice a big success when it started in Ocean City, NJ on the boardwalk and now has tons of stores in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and Maryland. Check it out on the web and if you are in the areas listed give it a try. That guy came up with a good idea, after eating garlic kielbasa a Polish water ice sounds like a good idea. While we are talking Polish, here’s one notable Polak who was born today, Miroslaw Hermaszewski – No lie 1’st Polish space traveler aboard Soyuz 30.

We also celebrate some holidays from around the world today:
In Japan – Respect for the Aged Day – Maybe I’ll get a vacation home in Japan.
United Kingdom – Battle of Britain Day honoring those pilots of 1940 of whom Winston Churchill said, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”

Have a nice day Speakies and be careful out there. I’m on the lookout for the crazies and ready to report if anything happens.