Exploring the foodie traditions of Wigilia – your festive guide

With the festive season fast approaching, we thought we’d share some of our favourite Polish christmas traditions. Unpick our guide to the season’s best eats and finest traditions, and – most importantly – savour the toast of the season yourself with Żołądkowa Gorzka, the famed spiced vodka used to make one of Poland’s favourite mulled drinks.
So what exactly is Wigilia? Wigilia is the traditional christmas eve supper, a chance for family and loved to ones to come together and make time for each other. It should start on the appearance of the first star in the sky, and is a meatless affair; the lack of meat is there to be a reminder of the animals that kept the baby Jesus warm in the manger.
So what’s on the menu? The dishes represent a cross-section of Polish culture and heritage, with dishes influenced by the different regions and peoples that have shaped the country. Let the below inspire your own festive season, so you too can try your own Wigilia feast at home!
It all starts with the festive wafers opłatek, broken and shared with a helping of good wishes to all. Next follows a series of small plates, the idea being to try a bit of everything. Sounds like our kind of dinner party!

There are typically 12 dishes, one for each of the apostles. To start, expect classics like red barszcz (borscht) or mushroom soup, made from dried forest mushrooms and noodles. Next comes the fish, typically carp, which in some regions is prepared in the Jewish fashion. Rolemops and herring salads are othe typical fish dishes, though carp is often the hero of the evening. Expect this to be served alongside braised sauerkraut, pierogies, and gołąbki, stuffed cabbage leaves where the traditional meat filling is substituted for mushrooms and vegetables.
Dessert is another heavenly experience, with all manner of sweet treats on offer. Old-style piernik, or gingerbread, poppy-seed cakes, fruit compotes and the ancient kutia – a dessert made from grains and seeds – offer a smorgasbord of sweet delights.
Finally though, is the real star of the show: the Wigilia drink. There are a few variations to try, but our favourite is a healthy glug of Żołądkowa Gorzka, the spiced liqueure, mulled with cinnamon, cloves and apple juice -> recipe here. Enjoy it hot for those cold winter evenings, and savour the flavours of an authentic Wigilia this festive season.

Żołądkowa Gorzka is available in our portfolio. For more information or to place your order, get in touch with us today.