Local Guide: Polish Culture & Ingredients
Due to lots of emigration from Poland to other countries around the world, a little bit of Polish culture can be found almost everywhere—including here in the States! Come along with our local Polish expert Kimmie as she takes us on a tour of her favorite local Polish spots in her Indiana hometown.
Hi, I’m Kimmie, a food creator and mom based in Indiana. Food is one of the ways I stay connected to family and history, and learning more about Polish cooking has become part of that for me as an adult. I own a salon, love a good book, and spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking and doing crafts with my kids. Let’s visit a few of my favorite Polish spots right here in Indiana!
Out of the Blue Polish Pottery
719 Hanover Place #144, Carmel, IN 46032
Phone: (317) 853-6349
Out of the Blue Polish Pottery in Carmel is a great place to experience a different side of Polish culture through folk art. Polish pottery is a traditional craft in Poland, similar to American folk quilts or handmade ceramics, and it’s both functional and beautiful. It’s an approachable way to connect with heritage, especially if food feels intimidating at first. And honestly, it’s just really pretty and a great way to bring whimsy into my everyday routine
Gosia’s Rustic Kitchen
611 3rd Ave SW, Carmel, IN 46032
Gosia’s Kitchen is a farmers market booth serving fresh pierogi and other deli style Polish foods. There isn’t a strong Slavic presence where I live, so when you find something like this, you support it. It’s also a great entry point for people who may not be familiar with Polish food because everything feels comforting, approachable, and welcoming. I got pierogi, herring salad, and beet salad. Pierogi is classic and always good, and the herring salad reminds me of family holiday celebrations—it’s something I’ll always choose when I find it available.
Saraga International Grocer
8448 Center Run Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46250
Phone: (317) 883-9999
When you’re cooking Polish food in the U.S., you often have to piece ingredients together from international markets. Saraga, a broad international grocery store, carries items that are essential for traditional Polish dishes and hard to find elsewhere. I got Polish pickles, lazanki noodles, and horseradish on my latest trip. Horseradish can be difficult to find fresh around here, but it’s an important ingredient in many Polish recipes and adds so much flavor. Polish pickles are a staple in Polish cuisine (and my house). They’re different from American pickles in both flavor and texture, and I always like to have them on hand. Lazanki is one of my favorite comfort meals, but most American grocery stores don’t carry that pasta shape, and I don’t always want to make it from scratch.
