All Pierogi Kitchen – Mesa, Arizona
Not surprisingly, culinary historians aren’t in complete agreement regarding the origin of pierogi. Most believe dumplings likely traveled from Asia along the Silk Road to Eastern Europe. Perhaps they were even brought over by Marco Polo or Turkish traders. That’s the more likely origin story. The more popular Polish origin story credits St. Hyacinth of Poland for the pierogi. In fact the Polish exclamation “St. Hyacinth with his dumplings!” is a call for help during hopeless circumstances (much like St. Jude being asked to intercede in the resolution of hopeless causes). There are two legends involving St. Hyacinth and pierogies. During a visit to a village in Poland, a hailstorm broke out, destroying crops and leaving people with the prospect…