The Steelers having this week’s Monday Night Football stage gave me all day to make the most powerful lucky dish known to Western Pennsylvania (outside of Dan Bylsma’s lucky burrito); pierogies. Pierogies may be one of the few dishes to be featured on both bar and church fundraiser menus alike around Pittsburgh. There are dozens of filling options. Different secrets on how to make the pasta part just right. Some people fry them. Some people boil them. Some boil and then sauté their pierogies. (My preferred method making pierogies.) Served with sour cream or farmer’s cheese. There are few things more Pittsburgh than pierogies. Did I have a Polish or Russian Nana? No. Did I still have pierogies for dinner at least every other week growing up? Absolutely.
Why are pierogies a great football food? Hearty and carb-y enough to soak up extra beer in your stomach. If they’re fried they are just as good – if not better - than any other bar food, i.e. a snack you can grab and stuff in your mouth without having to look away from the television. They even look like little footballs if you squint hard enough.