Feast of St. Hedwig

Saint Hedwig - Queen of Poland, Widow, Mother... She is the Patroness of the Sisters of St. Hedwig whose mission is to care for and educate orphaned children (no wonder JK Rowling chose Hedwig as the name for Harry's owl). She was also the Aunt of St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Married at 12 years old to Henry of Salesia, they were the parents of seven children. Gertrude alone survived her mother.

She gave aid to colleges and to religious persons dwelling within or outside monasteries, to widows and orphans, to the weak and the feeble, to lepers and those bound in chains or imprisoned, to travelers and needy women nursing infants. She allowed no one who came to her for help to go away uncomforted.

How to celebrate:

Pack up a box of clothing, toys, school supplies, medicines to be shipped or delivered to an orphanage through Catholic Charities. Serve a traditional Polish meal of Kapusta, Kielbasa and Rye Bread. Set an extra place at table symbolizing your willingness to welcome an orphan or traveler to share your meal.

Kapusta

1 head green cabbage, shredded
1 large onion, finely sliced
6-8 c. chicken stock (not broth)
1 jar saurkraut, drained not rinsed
1.5 c. yellow pea puree (or Habitant Canadian Yellow Pea Soup)

Bring stock to the boil and add cabbage and onions. Cook until cabbage is completely translucent and tender. Add saurkraut and yellow pea puree. Heat through. Serve over mashed potatoes. Mmmmm. True comfort food - especially on a cold day!

Kielbasa
**note: do try to find a Polish deli for handmade sausage - they are WORLDS better than the prepackaged kind you find in the supermarket!

2 lb. handmade kielbasa, sliced
4 firm tart apples, cored and sliced
1 med sweet onion
1 tsp. caraway seed
1.5 c. apple cider
oil

Heat oil in skillet and add onions. Cook until translucent, add apples and kielbasa. Cook until sausage is browned. Add cider and caraway, cover and simmer until apples are tender.

Serve with buttered rye bread (pumpernickel rye is particularly yummy!).