Potato Babka

"Potato babka is a classic albeit obscure dish from the eastern parts of Poland, North Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania. Even though some Old Polish cooking traditions come therein (sumptuous borscht, caviar-filled blinis and pierogi – celebrated Polish dumplings), it was mainly peasant kitchen, based on potatoes. Potato is king in the Eastern outskirts. Forget gnocchi – kopytka are the original potato dumplings. Latkes, weirdly served with soured cream and a sprinkling of sugar, are eaten for dinner. There are potato-filled pierogis and potato kiszka or babka. The basis for the latter two is grated raw potato mass, quite like for preparing latkes or Swiss rösti. It is seasoned, traditionally just with salt, pepper and marjoram, and mixed with sweated down onions and diced bacon. I turned the dish on its head in order to, hopefully, do justice to a frugal peasant recipe and at the same time to satisfy modern dietary choices."

NotesTags: vegetarian, vegan, holiday, Polish