A tradition passed down from my Slovak ancestors—specifically, my Grandma Katrenicz—is making stuffed cabbages, affectionately known in my family (and in areas of Northeastern Pennsylvania) as “piggies.” This ritual is far more than just preparing a meal; it is a fragrant, hands-on bridge to my heritage. As I've been taught to do, I begin by boiling whole heads of cabbage to loosen the leaves, creating soft wrappers for the savory filling. The heart of the piggies consists of a seasoned mixture of ground meat, rice, onions, and garlic. Each leaf is carefully stuffed and tucked into a neat, tight roll resembling a little piglet. Layered into a massive pot alongside a rich, tangy tomato sauce, the cabbages simmer slowly for hours. My grandmother brought this tradition to my family by teaching my mother how to make piggies after she married my father. After my mother died and my father moved to Florida, he would make piggies for me every time I visited him. My father passed on the tradition by teaching me how to make piggies. Sitting down to a steaming plate of piggies (always with mashed potatoes and peas) is a celebration of family continuity, linking me directly to my resilient Slovak roots and to my parents and grandparents and our family traditions. 

– Laura Katrenicz

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more