This recipe for traditional Polish potato pancakes is featured in the Canadian Slovak Recipes book compiled by the Alvinston Slovak Cultural Hall members in 1980. The recipe book is prefaced by a brief history on the hall itself:
“Alvinston’s Canadian Slovak Hall, located on the southern outskirts of the village, was financed and built by about 25 of the Slovak settlers. There were approximately 75 Slovak families in the area at the time, all members of St. Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church. Because the church had no parish hall there was a great need for a building. At the first meeting about the hall each family donated $100. A year later $500 was added to the project. A two-acre piece of land was purchased a block south of the church along the main street, call[ed] River Street. Working on their own time the Slovaks built the entire structure, except for the plumbing and wiring. The building measured 100 ft by 40 ft, divided into banquet hall, stage, refreshment booth, kitchen, checkroom and washrooms. A recreation room was at the back of the stage in the early days but it has since been removed to make a larger dance floor. The cost of the building was estimated between $10,000 to $12,000. It was completed in April 1954. Among the highlights during the year are the annual Easter banquet held on Easter Monday and the St. Stephen’s Day dance on Boxing Day. Weddings and dances fill the hall frequently.”
Potato Pancakes (Pagachki)
- 6 medium potatoes
- 5 tablespoons flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 eggs well beaten
- 1 tablespoon grated onion
- 1 tablespoon minced parsley
- cooking oil or lard
Combine flour, salt, pepper and powder. Set aside. Grate peeled potatoes to make about 3 cups. Drain. Combine flour mixture with eggs and onion and parsley and potatoes. Mix well. Pour to make small pancakes in greased hot frypan. Good with tomato soup or sauerkraut.
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