I know a lot of people are rediscovering cooking and baking during this time of lock down.

Here's my little story of discovery around cooking and family heritage:

We've been watching & enjoying Chef Vivian Howard's new show, "Somewhere South" on PBS.

The episode on dumplings reminded me of the Pierogi's we used to make whenever my mom's family all got together (they were of Polish decent, last name being Gusky). https://www.pbs.org/show/somewhere-south/

I knew one of my aunts kept a lot of these old family recipes so I messaged her and asked if she had the Pierogi recipe. (and if she'd share?!).

Sure enough she sent me a photo of a handwritten recipe she had and called to walk me through the directions for how to make them.

I love how food is so often a gateway into culture & storytelling & connection. Food is the glue of community and family. Sharing a family recipe is no different.

I have't really had a conversation w my aunt like this in years, so the recipe served as a doorway into connection.

During the conversation, I caught family stories behind this dish. How my great grandma made them, how she taught my grandma to make them, and so on.

And that our recipe is a different (we use farmer's cheese) from the Pierogi's most are use to (potatoes, cheese, sauerkraut).

I also was reminded of a couple other treats we would make including a cookie (Kruschiki) and a crêpe (Naleśniki) we used to all make together. Names I had lost, but the memory of taste and smell is still strong.

I, of course, asked for those recipes as well. :)

There's not much of this part of our family heritage left, so I am grateful for the ways in which these childhood memories linger and how the oral stories & traditions - even the oral recipes - last generations.

As small as it is, it helps me feel connected to my family.

I look forward to making Pierogi, Kruschiki, and Naleśniki with my kids soon.

We will begin the story over again and in doing so, help it carry on for another generation.