What’s A Kolache?
A kolache is a type of sweet or savory pastry that originated in Czech and Slovak cuisine. It's typically made with a yeasted dough and can be filled with fruit, cheese, poppy seeds, or, in Texas, even sausage.
These are usually sweet, circular pastries with a filling like fruit jam, poppy seeds, or cottage cheese.
In Texas, kolaches are also known for savory fillings like sausage, cheese, and jalapeños. The savory versions are sometimes referred to as klobasniky.
Texas Kolache Culture:
Kolaches have a strong presence in Texas, especially in areas with a Czech heritage, and are often enjoyed as a breakfast or snack.
Long Island History
Did you know Bohemia, NY has a rich Czech history, also? Yes…dating back to 1855! The original settlers came to the United States from what is now the Czech Republic. Three Slavic immigrant couples were friends, and the husbands were street musicians in New York City. One man became ill and was told to move out to the country for the fresh air. The little community began to grow. Many of the newcomers found jobs in oil and fish factories on Fire Island, a few miles offshore. Others brought their cigar-making skills from the old country, and eventually, cigar factories opened. By the late 19th century, there were eight cigar factories. They closed by 1930 when mechanized production did away with the hand rolling of cigars. In 1885, the town's name was officially changed to Bohemia. Credit: https://www.longislandhub.com/bohemia
Variations:
There are many variations of kolaches, with different regions and bakeries experimenting with fillings and flavors.
Not a "Pig in a Blanket":
While some mistakenly refer to sausage pastries as kolaches in Texas, the authentic kolache is a circular pastry with a fruit, cheese, or poppy seed filling.