Zrazy facts for kids
Zrazy on a plate.
|
|
| Type | Main course |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth |
| Region or state | Poland, Lithuania, western Belarus |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | beef |
Zrazy (in Polish: zrazy, in Lithuanian: zrazai) is a delicious meat dish. It's a type of roulade, which means meat that is rolled up with a filling inside. Zrazy is very popular in countries like Poland, western Belarus, and Lithuania. This dish has a long history, going back to the time of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
What is Zrazy?
Zrazy is usually made from thin slices of beef. These meat slices are seasoned with salt and pepper. Then, they are filled with different ingredients. Common fillings include vegetables, mushrooms, eggs, and potato.
But people are creative with zrazy! You can find many other fillings too. Some popular choices include pickles and bacon. Sometimes, zrazy can also be made with veal or pork instead of beef.
How is Zrazy Made?
After the meat is filled, it's carefully rolled up. To keep the roll together, cooks use a thread or toothpicks.
First, the rolled zrazy pieces are quickly fried in oil. This helps to brown the outside. Then, they are moved to a casserole dish. In the casserole, ingredients like celery, onion, and different spices are added. A hot stock is poured over everything.
The zrazy then cooks slowly at a low temperature. This process is called stewing. It makes the meat very tender and full of flavor.
Before serving, the threads or toothpicks are taken out. The zrazy is often drained and sometimes lightly dusted with flour. Some people like to add a dollop of sour cream on top. Zrazy is usually eaten with the tasty sauce it was cooked in. It often comes with crumbled kasha, like buckwheat or barley.
Where Does Zrazy Come From?
It's not exactly known when or where zrazy was first created. Both Poland and Lithuania, which were part of the old Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, claim to have invented this dish.
The traditional rolled shape of zrazy might have come from Lithuanian cooking. However, the name "zrazy" comes from the Polish language. In Polish, it means a slice of meat or a piece cut from a roast.
