EPISODE 13

Along Poland’s southern border lies a region that is home to one of the country’s most stunning landscapes as well as one of its most spirited and vibrant cultures. This is Podhale – home to the stunning Polish Tatra Mountain range and a place where food, history, song, dance and old customs are defined by a unique character that lives deep in the heart of its locals, the Polish Highlanders.

In this episode viewers will be taken along for on breathtaking hike through this colorful part of southern Poland. The region’s character, history and cuisine will be explored from its famous mountain town, Zakopane. From the peaks of the beautiful Polish mountains to the city center, viewers will learn about the region’s folk art and history, experience its traditional song and dance and learn about a wide range of its traditional foods. They’ll be taken to one of the area’s iconic shepherd huts called a “Bacówka,” where they will witness the process of making the region’s most iconic traditional food product, the smoked sheep’s milk cheese called, oscypek. They’ll take a ride up to the top of one of Poland’s most famous peaks, Kasprowy Wierch, to learn more about the Tatra National Park, an UNESCO biosphere reserve, and stroll down Zakopane’s famous boardwalk, Krupówki, experiencing its local foods and artisan crafts.

As host, Aleksandra August, meets with local guide, Maciej Krupa, viewers will get a detailed culture and history lesson on the Podhale region and the city of Zakopane, and learn more about the character of the local cuisine as they sit down to enjoy a hearty sampling of the region’s specialties – smoked sheep’s milk cheeses, bacon, sausages, lamb shank, potato pancakes, sauerkraut soup (kwaśnica), local spirits and more!

Following her return home, Aleksandra will prepare one of the favorite dishes of every tourist who comes to Zakopane, Placki po Zbójnicku, or, Rebels’ Pancakes – crisp potato pancakes topped with a savory beef goulash.

This visit to Poland’s Podhale region will be a truly heartfelt and unforgettable experience and we invite you to come along for the journey in the final episode of the Flavor of Poland series.