The popularity of wodzionka is linked to the tradition of not throwing away and using any stale bread. It symbolised Silesian modesty and frugality. It’s a simple soup known in Silesia and central Poland. It is so popular that a song has even been written about it.
Traditionally, wodzionka is prepared from stale bread and boiling water. It was a very popular dish, eaten every day, at various times of the day, in families of varying social statuses. In late autumn and winter, it was often eaten for breakfast. [Recipe included below]
To prepare this inexpensive soup you need stale bread, garlic, and lard with crackling and boiling water. It is amazing that such simple ingredients can conjure up unearthly flavours and aromas! For Silesians, wodzionka is the queen of soups!
It even has its own song!
The whole song is sung in the Silesian dialect and describes the preparation process of this queen of the soups. Let’s look at the chorus.
The original text ⤵️
Mmmm wodzionka, suchy chlyb i wody szklonka.
Mmmm wodzionka, to nojlepszo z wszystkich ślonskich zup.
Mmmm wodzionka, jak jom zrobi moja żonka.
Mmmm wodzionka, to jes łósmy świata cud.
The interpretation of the text ⤵️
Mmmm wodzionka, dry bread and a glass of water.
Mmmm wodzionka, is the best of all Silesian soups.
Mmmm wodzionka, every time my wifey makes it.
Mmmm wodzionka, the eighth wonder of the world.
Ingredients
- 5-6 slices of stale bread,
- 2 l / 67 fl oz of water,
- 4 tbsp lard with cracklings,
- 3 cloves of garlic,
- Salt and piper to taste.
Preparation
- Crumble the stale bread into bowls.
- Boil the water.
- Add lard with cracklings and stir to dissolve.
- Chop garlic and mash with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Add the garlic to the boiling water.
- Season with freshly ground pepper.
- Season to taste if necessary.
- Pour the hot soup over the stale bread.
Enjoy! ?