One of my favorite things about Poland is the wonderful fresh produce. Here, we have the option to buy fruits and vegetables from farmer’s roadside stands, vendors set up by the tram stop, the market squares, little produce shops, as well as the supermarket. Even better yet, so many people grown their own.
I think every Polish house has a vegetable garden and/or fruit trees and berry bushes. There are also community gardens. I’m not sure what the proper term is, but a lot will be subdivided into parcels that several families use. It’s a great way for folks living in flats (much more common here) to have their own garden.
We had dinner one Friday night with our friends in Swarzędz and the only thing on the table from a store was the sausage they had procured for us, their American Protestant guests. As Polish Catholics, they were foregoing meat. Our salads, the side dishes, the plums in our dessert – all home grown.
Today, we are enjoying delicious, organic apples from our downstairs neighbors. They’re from her father’s tree, wonderfully crisp and juicy. We had some tonight with a little chocolate ganache for dipping. I’m pondering how to use the remaining apples – apple butter, apple pie, apple cake, my morning smoothie. What possibilities am I forgetting?
Ola
The community gardens you mean probably so called "działki"
życie & podróże
gotowanie
Lori
When I was leaving for Poland in 2009, I had a bus driver on the way to the train which takes me to the airport, explain both his parents were Polish and would like to go back for a visit, but they couldn't. Making polite conversation I said a long plane trip and a big jet lag might be a challenge for people 80 years +. He told me that wasn't the problem, so I what was the problem. Then
Lois B
Ola – thanks!
Lori – that's funny; it's been a long time since the market shelves were empty here.