"A guest in the house..."

Ted. There’s an old expression that pretty well sums up how Poles regard hospitality. “Gość w dom, Bóg w dom” means “A guest in the house is God in the house.”

Robert with smoked meats & Zubrowka

From the moment you step into a Polish home, you are treated like family (except that you don’t do chores). Robert & Ann spoiled us in their home and when it was time to visit his parents, Roman & Barbara did the same.

Robert's parents - Barbara & Roman

Food, music and hugs abounded.

Robert

For those not acquainted with Polish food, there are a couple of things that are omnipresent, namely smoked meats and pickled vegetables. Cabbage, beets, potatoes and mushrooms are favorite vegetables and pork is the meat of choice. Horseradish is the condiment.

Stuffed cabbage & stuffed chicken

Pierogi and pork with dumplings

 

Roman's Smoker

75% of the meat in the grocery counter is smoked!

Food is typically washed down with beer and vodka. If, like Roman, you have a neighbor from Georgia (the country), this can be supplemented with excellent Georgian wine. As a side note, vodka is actually a Polish creation, later imitated in other countries. My favorite vodka, called Żubrówka is flavored with bison grass, an herb found in the forests near Białystok.

Sadly, the only thing not found in Polish homes is Alka-Seltzer!

With Roman, Barbara and neighbors