This cold meat is a regional delicacy in the Suwałki region, but today Poles rarely eat it. It is of Lithuanian-Borderland originand until recently it was very popular in Podlasie.
We are talking about kindziuk, which is even on the Polish list of traditional productswhich can be consulted at any time in the list available on the GOV website. When it comes to meat, none of us buys it. Something else foreigners who appreciate the unique taste of kindziuk and its other qualities.
Kindziuk, also known as skilandis, is a traditional cured meat of Polish-Lithuanian cuisinethe most famous in the Suwałki region. It was very popular in the 19th and 20th centuries, when meat was stored without common access to refrigerators or freezers due to its long shelf life.
Kindziuk is usually prepared from high-quality chopped pork (less often beef)with the addition of garlic, salt and coriander, stuffed into natural casings, dried and smoked.
This meat contains little water, so it does not spoil quickly. However, this results in a higher price. Kindziuk has a characteristic taste that is very distinct, somewhat similar to salami.
Good quality kindziuk is treated as a delicacy abroad. NIt tastes best when slightly chilled and cut into very thin slices, served on a charcuterie board with pickled cucumber, sauerkraut and onion. Of course, it can also be treated as an addition to a sandwich.
It’s a hit on sourdough or rye bread with mild cheese and vegetables. It does not need additional sauces or butter. The taste of kindziuk is so distinctive that it speaks for itself.
As for the properties of kindziuk, it is a valuable meat as long as it is prepared carefully, with attention to detail and without artificial enhancers. It is a traditional product with a short composition, which contains a lot of protein, which makes you feel full quickly, and it contains vitamins, including: from group B, iron or zinc.
However, you need to be careful with it due to its high salt content, which can increase blood pressure and saturated fat. People on a diet cannot overdo it, because 100 grams of kindziuk contains as much as 400-500 kcal. This is a matured meat, and these are not recommended to be eaten every day. Occasionally, however, you may be tempted.
