07 Nov What to buy from the Polish shop and what to do with it, part 2

A series on the “Polski sklep”

The Polish shop is having it’s moment here in the UK, with the Food Programme doing it’s first ever “Polish” episode on it. I talked briefly about what I tend to buy when I go to the Polish shop in that episode, but there is more to explore. Therefore, this is the second in a series of blog posts about what you can find in my “Polski sklep” shopping basket and what I do with it.

What I bought and what I’m doing with it

Starting with the pastry at the top – this is a curd cheese pastry with poppyseeds that we ate with our coffee for breakfast. Next to it, we have the Śląskie oblaty – wafer snacks from the Śląsk region of Poland. Below them, two, small pastries with white poppy seeds inside. The lady in the shop informed me are eaten for a celebration that I have never heard of that takes place 11th November. My mum said it must be regional thing, as she hadn’t heard of it either. Centre bottom, you’ll find a “melisa” and orange tea – this is a lemonbalm infusion, which is very calming. The dark object in a paper bag to the left is a dried Kiełbasa Chłopska (peasant’s sausage). Next to it, another type with Karkówka – chuck steak – that was recommended for roasting over the bonfire. A note on “Kiełbasa”: there are many different types, the word simply means “sausage”. Above, my favourite buckwheat honey: “Miód gryczany”. You’ll find many types of honey in a Polish shop, the buckwheat one is very dark and treacly and unlike any other honey. Next to that, we have pistachio cream to put on toast and, in the middle, kasza manna, semolina porridge. My girls have been hankering after this and it seems like everyone has too, because they had nearly sold out – something that the lady in the shop put down to the weather turning cooler.

An exploration…

I hope this series will encourage others to go in and explore Polish shops too. I know it can be daunting at times. My partner has pointed out that, from an outsider’s perspective, that the ladies behind the counter can look at you “a bit blankly” when they first see you, which I understand can make English people nervous. As soon as you start talking to them, they are usually friendly, helpful and chatty. Have courage and you will be rewarded.