It's A Family Tradition

Today Jason and I went to the St. Mary's Catholic Church Polish Festival in Brenham. My mom's side of the family has deep roots in the Polish heritage so this was just a step back in time for me. However, for Jason this was a whole new experience. We enjoyed Polish music, good food, and seeing family. What a great time!

On the menu was.......

Black Soup

Better known as Duck Blood Soup

Or (as I grew up with) Czernina

Czernina, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Czernina [t​͡ʂɛrˈnina] (from czarny "black"; sometimes also Czarnina or Czarna polewka) is a Polish soup made of duck blood (sometimes hen, rabbit or pigs blood would be used) and clear poultry broth. In English it is referred to as Duck Blood Soup.

Generally the sweet and sour taste of the soup comes from the addition of sugar and vinegar. However, there are hundreds of recipes popular in different parts of Poland and Lithuania. Among the ingredients used are plum or pear syrup, dried pears, plums or cherries, apple vinegar and honey. Like most Polish soups, czernina is usually served with fine noodles, macaroni or boiled potatoes.

Until the 19th century czernina was also a symbol in Polish culture. It was served to young men applying for the hand of their beloved ones after the parents rejected their proposal. It is a plot element in Pan Tadeusz, a famous Polish epic poem by Adam Mickiewicz.
It is also a regional dish in Kaszuby and Poznań.

We also ate some of this...

Jason takes a bite of the soup, HA!

Mouth full

Mmmmmm,mmmmm Good.....OK I took a bite QUIT taking PICTURES, hehehe.

Belly full, room for dessert???I love sharing traditions such as this with Jason. I can't wait until we have our own kids and they get to experience lots of neat things.