Poppy - the lucky seed

Hungarian cuisine was highly influenced by the Turkish proximity: the gastronomical use of poppy seed dates back as far as the Ottoman occupation of Hungary in the 17^th century. Since then, it became an essential part of what we call Hungarian culture. Some people love it, others couldn’t stand it, but it’s definitely something that everyone – including You – should try. Join me on my rather short journey around the poppy seed-flooded part of Hungarian culture.

First, these precious teeny-tiny blackish seeds are milled, then they are mixed with sugar or honey before becoming a part of sweet pastries throughout the year. There is an exception, however: the poppy seed roll, which is only prepared around the Christmas holiday season. This sweet festive dessert roll called bejgli is also made with a sweet walnut filling, sometimes containing raisins for an extra touch of sweetness. There is no Christmas Eve without at least a roll of the good old bejgli on the dinner table.

Another poppy seed-based pastry, going by the name of mákos guba is made with a finger-width, baked dough that is soaked in vanilla flavoured milk, and then topped with milled, sugary poppy seeds. It was also traditionally prepared at the end of the year, because it was a common belief that poppy, with its many seeds will bring luck and a lot of money in the New Year. Even the Hungarian word for poppy, mák has the alternative meaning of luck.

Last, but not least we arrive at the most common dish of the three: poppy seed noodles. Easy to prepare, mákos tészta only requires some pasta or noodles and the sugary poppy seed mix that you must be quite familiar with by now. It is as simple as cooking the noodles and the mixing all the ingredients together. If you are reading these lines you must be here in Hungary, and if you are here, these are the things that you should definitely try! Get lucky!

by Szabolcs Szerletics

Photo: Szabolcs Csortos