May to September is festival season in the First State, so great food is pretty much guaranteed. Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the St. Hedwig’s Polish Festival is Sept. 19–24 at Riverfront Wilmington.
Here are the top five foods you’ll want to try:
1. Pierogis
These ravioli-like dumplings are often stuffed with potato and cheese or with sauerkraut. Made by Appleton Catering, about 65,000 pierogis were sold at the festival last year.
2. Dessert pierogis
Anything you can eat for dinner and dessert deserves to be on the list twice. They’re the same as above, but stuffed with blueberries, cherries or apricots.
3. Golibki
It translates to “little pigeon,” but don’t let that scare you. Think of them as the Polish version of pigs in a blanket: cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and ground beef, all served in tomato sauce.
4. Kielbasa
This pork sausage is served fresh or smoked, sliced or linked. Top it with sauerkraut and order a side of green beans and mashed potatoes.
5. Placki
It is better known as a potato pancake. Every potato is hand-peeled in the church kitchen, then mixed with a batter that’s made fresh on site everyday.
Still not full? These contenders have earned their spots in the honorable mentions: czarnina, a traditional duck soup; nalesniki, a crepe with fruit and cream; and pastries from Krystyna’s Polish Bakery in Wilmington. You’ll find them all there.
