Kolache
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Kolache (also spelled kolace, kolach, or kolacky, from the Czech and Slovak plural koláče, sg. koláč) is a type of pastry that holds a dollop of fruit rimmed by a puffy pillow of supple dough.[1] Originating as a semisweet wedding dessert from Central Europe, they have become popular in parts of the United States.
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[edit] Kolache Celebrations
Several cities, including Prague, Oklahoma, Caldwell, Texas,[2] East Bernard, Texas, and St. Ludmila's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, IA, hold annual Kolache Festival celebrations.
Montgomery, Minnesota, claims to be the "Kolacky capital of the world"[2] and holds an annual festival known as Kolacky Days. Verdigre, Nebraska, stakes the same claim with their Kolache Days.[3] Prague, Nebraska, claims to be known as the home of the world's largest kolache. West, Texas, claims the title of "Kolache Capital of Texas."
Still other communities in the United States hold Czech-American festivals, where kolaches may be found.
It was the sweet chosen to represent the Czech Republic in the Café Europe initiative of the Austrian presidency of the European Union, on Europe Day 2006.
[edit] Bakeries
In Texas, many restaurants and bakeries specialize in kolaches. In central Texas the kolache is particularly widespread among Czech Americans as well as their respective local communities, such as West [4] and Caldwell,[4] Many other communities known for kolaches such as Weimar and Schulenburg, Texas, have a considerable Czech ethnic population. Shipley's Donuts, a popular Texas donut chain, as well as other donut shops provide kolaches. [5]
[edit] Related dishes
- A related dish is a klobasnek or klobasniki, which often uses similar bread but is filled with a piece of sausage. Purists assert that these are mistakenly referred to as kolaches.[1] They may also contain ham and cheese, sausage, jalapeño slices, and resemble a "pig in a blanket"
- There is also a sweet and flaky filled pastry with Polish origins called Kolacz.
[edit] American vs. Czech terminology
- Unlike recent American usage, the Czech word "koláče" is a plural word. A single pastry is called a "koláč" or smaller "koláček."
[edit] See also
- Doughnut
- Kalach: East Slavic bread
- Klobasnek: Czech pastry popular in central and southeast Texas
- Kołacz: Polish pastry
[edit] References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kolache |
- ^ a b [1]
- ^ "Michele Casady, "Rain and kolaches? Czech"". Bryan-College Station Eagle, September 13, 2009. http://www.theeagle.com/local/Rain-and-kolaches--Czech. Retrieved October 24, 2009.
- ^ http://ci.verdigre.ne.us/
- ^ a b "The Town of West, TX". http://west-tx.com/. "Home of the Official Kolache of the Texas Legislature"
- ^ "Besetsny's Kountry Bakery - Schulenburg, TX". http://www.kountrybakery.com/. "Family Owned & Operated Since 1979"
