Growing up in Pittston, Pennsylvania, I experienced the beautiful blend of Italian and Polish cultures that make the town so special. On one street corner, you could smell the aromatic garlic and basil from a pizza shop, and on the next, the comforting scent of sauteed onions and butter from a Polish household or church preparing pierogi. This cultural fusion shaped not just the community, but my approach to food - where tradition meets innovation, and where sharing recipes means sharing love.
The Story Behind the recipe
In Pittston, I learned early on that good food knows no cultural boundaries. Italian neighbors would share their homemade sauce and meatballs, while we'd bring over platters of pierogi and piggies. During the famous Pittston Tomato Festival, you'd find both Italian and Polish families setting up stands side by side, creating a beautiful tapestry of flavors that represented our community's heritage. This recipe pays homage to that special blend of cultures - taking our traditional Polish Pierogi and giving them an Italian-inspired crispy coating that would make both my Polish father and our Italian neighbors proud!
What You'll need
12 Poppy Ski's Pierogi (I used our classic Potato and cheese, but any flavor works!)
3 tablespoons milk
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
3/4 teaspoon salt
Cuso's Grass seasoning (best Italian and herb seasoning out there!)
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesean cheese, plus extra for garnish
Sour cream for dipping
Step-by-step instructions
Start by creating your dipping station. In one bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs until smooth. This will be your wet mixture (a technique I learned from our Italian neighbors who used it for their chicken cutlets).
In a separate bowl, combine your breadcrumbs, salt, Cuso's grass seasoning, and grated Parmesan. Mix well to ensure all seasonings are evenly distributed.
Here's where the magic happens: Working in batches, dip your frozen Poppy Ski's Pierogi in the egg mixture, then transfer them to the seasoned breadcrumbs. Make sure each pierogi is evenly coated - this is what gives you that perfect, crispy exterior!
Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Air fry your coated pierogi for 12-15 minutes, or until they achieve that beautiful golden-brown color we're looking for.
For the finishing touch, sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese and serve warm with a side of sour cream.
Pro tips from a polish kitchen
Keep the pierogi frozen until you're ready to coat them - this helps the breading stick better
Use the same fine breadcrumbs our Italian neighbors used for their cutlets - it makes all the difference
Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket; give each pierogi enough space to get crispy
If you notice any bare spots after air frying, you can give them a quick spray with cooking oil and air fry for an additional 1-2 minutes
For a true Pittston experience, serve with both sour cream AND marinara sauce - trust me on this fusion!
A taste of two traditions
These crispy pierogi represent everything I love about growing up in Pittston - the way our Polish and Italian communities came together to create something special. This recipe brings both worlds together in one delicious bite.
Whether you're serving these at a Sunday dinner (which in Pittston would mean either pasta or pierogi - or both!), during a football game, or at a family gathering, these crispy pierogi carry the spirit of our unique community. They're a reminder that some of the best traditions come from bringing different cultures together.
The perfect party appetizer
These toasted pierogi have become a staple at our gatherings, where you're just as likely to find them next to a plate of bruschetta as you are alongside kielbasa. They're a conversation starter that gets people talking about their own family traditions and the way our cultures blend together in Pittston.
Have you tried this recipe? Share your photos with us on social media using #PoppySkisPierogi - we'd love to see your crispy creations! And if you're ever in the Pittston area, stop by and experience the unique Italian-Polish community for yourself. There's nothing quite like it anywhere else!
Note: Looking for Poppy Ski's Pierogi to make this recipe? Check out www.poppyskis.com to find our pierogi.
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