Here are three of the strangest gastronomic New Years’ traditions from around the world.

Spain: 12 Grapes

In Spain, it is tradition to consume 12 grapes at the strike of the clock on New Years’ Eve. What’s so strange about this? Well, Spaniards stuff one grape into their mouth at the stroke of every second beginning at 11:59:48 until their mouths are full at midnight and they can finally eat them.

Pickled Herring: Scandinavia, Germany, and Poland

Pickled herring is made of dehydrated herring, a small fish that lives throughout the northern waters of the Atlantic, which has been marinated in a brine solution.

It might not sound appetizing, but in these Northern European cultures, eating pickled herring on New Years’ Eve is supposed to bring good fortune for the new year.

Soba Noodles: Japan

A New Years’ Eve tradition in Japan is to eat soba noodles when the clock strikes midnight on New Years’.

Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour and are usually eaten in a broth with vegetables and spices. Eating these noodles on January 1st is supposed to cleanse the body and mind and prepare it for the year ahead.

The post 3 Strange New Years’ Eve Food Traditions from Around the World appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Many of us are familiar with the traditional American-style jelly doughnuts, which are relatively light and airy, but did you know that an even sweeter, richer version exists in Poland?

This is where we meet the pączki (pronounced ¨POWNCH-kee¨). This doughnut is popular throughout the country of Poland, and was one of the best things that I tried during my trip to Krakow this fall. It is similar in appearance to traditional jelly doughnuts, but in my opinion, even tastier.

Pączki are available throughout bakeries in Poland, and are incredibly cheap. Almost all of them are less than 1 złoty, meaning that you can enjoy one for the equivalent of about $0.20.

The main differences between a pączki and a normal jelly doughnut are that the pączki dough is made with a thicker, richer dough containing more eggs, sugar, and cream than a typical doughnut´s. Also, a bit of grain alcohol is added to the dough as per Polish tradition.

Sugar is sprinkled on top when the dough is fried.

These pastries are hollow, but given a sweet touch with a variety of fruit fillings. You can fill a pączki with pretty much any fruit imaginable. The main fillings, however, are lemon, berry, apple, and plum jellies. Some bakeries even make a pączki filled with chocolate!

So, be sure to grab one of these delicious treats if you ever find yourself in a Polish bakery, whether it be in Poland or in another country with Polish immigrants. Smacznego!

The post Poland’s Unique Jelly Doughnut: Pączki appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Here are three of the strangest gastronomic New Years’ traditions from around the world.

Spain: 12 Grapes

In Spain, it is tradition to consume 12 grapes at the strike of the clock on New Years’ Eve. What’s so strange about this? Well, Spaniards stuff one grape into their mouth at the stroke of every second beginning at 11:59:48 until their mouths are full at midnight and they can finally eat them.

Pickled Herring: Scandinavia, Germany, and Poland

Pickled herring is made of dehydrated herring, a small fish that lives throughout the northern waters of the Atlantic, which has been marinated in a brine solution.

It might not sound appetizing, but in these Northern European cultures, eating pickled herring on New Years’ Eve is supposed to bring good fortune for the new year.

Soba Noodles: Japan

A New Years’ Eve tradition in Japan is to eat soba noodles when the clock strikes midnight on New Years’.

Soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour and are usually eaten in a broth with vegetables and spices. Eating these noodles on January 1st is supposed to cleanse the body and mind and prepare it for the year ahead.

The post 3 Strange New Years’ Eve Food Traditions from Around the World appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Many of us are familiar with the traditional American-style jelly doughnuts, which are relatively light and airy, but did you know that an even sweeter, richer version exists in Poland?

This is where we meet the pączki (pronounced ¨POWNCH-kee¨). This doughnut is popular throughout the country of Poland, and was one of the best things that I tried during my trip to Krakow this fall. It is similar in appearance to traditional jelly doughnuts, but in my opinion, even tastier.

Pączki are available throughout bakeries in Poland, and are incredibly cheap. Almost all of them are less than 1 złoty, meaning that you can enjoy one for the equivalent of about $0.20.

The main differences between a pączki and a normal jelly doughnut are that the pączki dough is made with a thicker, richer dough containing more eggs, sugar, and cream than a typical doughnut´s. Also, a bit of grain alcohol is added to the dough as per Polish tradition.

Sugar is sprinkled on top when the dough is fried.

These pastries are hollow, but given a sweet touch with a variety of fruit fillings. You can fill a pączki with pretty much any fruit imaginable. The main fillings, however, are lemon, berry, apple, and plum jellies. Some bakeries even make a pączki filled with chocolate!

So, be sure to grab one of these delicious treats if you ever find yourself in a Polish bakery, whether it be in Poland or in another country with Polish immigrants. Smacznego!

The post Poland’s Unique Jelly Doughnut: Pączki appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.