Swieconka (sh-vee-en-soon-kah) is one of the most enduring and beloved Polish traditions. On Saturday people head to church with decorated baskets containing a sampling of traditional food to be blessed by the priest. The baskets usually contain hard-boiled shelled eggs, ham, kielbasa, salt, horseradish, bread and cake. Prominently displayed among these is the Easter lamb, usually molded from butter or sugar and colorful pisanki. The foods in the basket have a symbolic meaning to the Christian holiday, for example:

• eggs – symbolize life and Christ’s resurrection,
• bread – symbolic of Jesus
• lamb – represents Christ
• salt – represents purification
• horseradish – symbolic of the bitter sacrifice of Christ
• ham – symbolic of great joy and abundance

The food blessed by the church should remain untouched until Sunday morning.

At Sikorski Meat Market you will find all the items you need to fill your Easter basket. For the holiday we make small rings of kielbasa called “blessing rings” that can fit perfectly in your basket. We also carry small smoked hams, polish babka, horseradish, and sugar lambs. And if you are looking for decorative egg wraps you can also find them behind our counter. Please stop in this Easter and check out our large selection of Polish items.

Wesołych Świąt!