Traditions Made Sweeter with Honey

By Anna Margl and Rick Margl

We came from the ‘old country’. Through weeks on the gray, wind-tossed endless sea, our children in fear of the abyss stretching below. Or, in a centuries-long migration, our people finding their way across the Beringia land bridge in the dim time before history. Some came by their own choice and some not. Many reasons drove us. We’d never have enough land to raise a family, or we were chased by starvation, we longed to worship in our faith unoppressed, perhaps we were indentured, or even brutally sold to the highest bidder.

Or because our dreams were lit by the golden torch held high by the stern woman gazing back towards those ‘ancient lands’ across the sea.

The new land awaited. Strange customs, new languages, long and wearisome labors, sometimes visited by disease and hunger, and often death came too soon. But we persevered, worked hard, learned new ways and built new lives. We taught our children what we had learned and became proud citizens of the young nation.

But often our thoughts drifted back to the old country and those whom we’d left behind. The ties that bind. Secure in our new life, still we missed the music, the dances, the food and the drinks that had brought much of what joy those long-ago days had held. And so, on holidays and feast days, in homes, church basements and fraternal halls across the land, the smells and tastes of the old days filled our plates and wafted delightfully through the air. Oh!, the latkes, spatzle, ravioli, lefse, gingerbread, pieroges, krumkake and so much more. For a while at any rate, our hearts could be filled with warm memories of those far distant lands…

Gratefully, nowadays those traditions continue, especially at this time of year. December brings holidays and many families like to celebrate them in very special, traditional ways. Many of these traditions are specific to ethnic groups, were brought over from the ‘old country’ and are carried on – with great pride – from generation to generation. These celebrations include various customs and events, but food and drinks are among the most important things passed on.

A key part of the Great River Coalition’s mission is to “bring awareness to the vital role pollinators play in the health of our riverfront communities”. In that light and during this time of celebration when we often drink to each other’s health, we thought it would be appropriate to share the recipes for a few traditional Polish holiday drinks that are extra special since they include honey. They are Krupnik, Jojokoniak and Kompot Owocowy. Enjoy!

Krupnik – A Polish Liqueur of Spiced Vodka and Honey

INGREDIENTS

250 ml (1 cup) mild flavored honey

250 ml (1 cup) water

1 clove

2 cinnamon sticks

5 allspice berries, lightly crushed

1 vanilla pod

1 unwaxed lemon, sliced in rings

1 unwaxed orange, sliced in rings

500 ml (2 cups) at least of 80-proof vodka

You will also need:

a large muslin cloth (or 2 medium)

a funnel

4 x 250ml (1 cup) bottles, sterilized (or any container(s) equaling the total amount of 1 liter (4 cups)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place everything, other than the vodka, into a large saucepan and bring to a simmer on medium heat.

2. As soon as it’s simmering, lower the heat right down and let it simmer for 1 minute.

3. At the end of the minute, take it off the heat, and leave to cool for 5 minutes before we add the vodka. This is important, as we don’t want the alcohol evaporating in the steaming liquid.

4. At the end of the 5 minutes, add the vodka, stir well with a wooden spoon, cover tightly with a lid or foil, and leave to steep overnight.

The Next Day

1. Double line your funnel with your muslin cloth. If you have a large one, folding it over will work.

2. Strain your Krupnik into the sterilized bottles, pushing down only ever so slightly on the contents. Don’t overdo this, or your last bottle may be a touch bitter from the vanilla.

For the Jojokoniak and Kompot Owocowy recipes, please visit our Facebook site at: https://www.facebook.com/GreatRiverCoalitionMN/.

The team at the GRC wish you, your family and friends, much health and prosperity in the coming year! Na Zdrowie!