First a disclaimer: I have no affiliation whatsover for the product which I am about to laud.
You may recall that during our first week in Debrecen, my colleague and friend Zoltan took us shopping. When we got to the dairy aisle, he suggested that I try a pöttyös which translates in English to “dotted.” I had never heard of it from any of my family or those who had visited Hungary, nor was it ever mentioned in any of the travel guides.
It’s hard to describe this little treat. It’s a small roll, about the thickness of a nickel and about 3-4 inches long. The outside is an ultra-thin layer of semisweet dark chocolate, the inside is a filling made with creamed cottage cheese, vanilla, and sugar, (unless you buy one of the flavored varieties). I was a little reluctant; but Zoltan assured my that it is inexpensive, delicious AND healthy. He seemed so enthusiastic about it that I couldn’t resist.
To say that I have become obsessed with these little treats is an understatement. They can be found in grocery and convenience stores, at little bufes and snack bars in train and railroad stations. I have even spotted a machine that dispenses them in the reception area of a hotel!
B and I have been eating mostly authentic Hungarian cuisine and we drink the wonderful Villany and Egri wines. Both the draught and bottled beers are delicious too, although some snobs state that they prefer the Czech beers. One of Bernard’s favorites is the Hortobagyi palacsinta…this is a dish consisting of thin Hungarian pancakes (similar to crepes) stuffed with a meat filling (usually made with goulash) and covered with a sour-cream laden sauce that is indescribable. Most restaurants offer them as an appetizer , but the average serving of two pancakes with a salad and a glass of wine is more than ample. Our attitude is “when in Hungary, do as the Hungarians do….”
So I was a little bit disappointed when a friend of mine said that the Pöttyös was brought to Hungary by the Russians! I can’t help it….it’s a force of habit, but I avoid anything to do with that nation. But then I thought about it….I have spent a lot of time talking about the horrific legacy of Stalin and Soviet communists. Here’s something that is good. It’s not a very big thing…but, to the thousands of Pöttyös aficionados in Hungary, a Pöttyös a day is as necessary to them as smoking is to nicotine addicts or a drink is to alcoholics. In fact, if Hungary could export these to the US and Americans respond the way that I did, it could be the answer to Hungary’s economic woes. Back in the days when Nixon first went to China, many businessmen were hopeful that the huge “China Market” would be opened up to them. You could literally hear the “ch..ching” in their minds as they contemplated the possibility of selling a car or a computer or whatever to every Chinese citizen. Well, just think, if everyone in America were to buy a Pöttyös–it would open a world of new possibilities. So there you have it, as the title of the blog suggest, Pöttyös is the real thing!! It could be to Hungary what Coke is to the US. It certainly makes you pause, doesn’t it?
Thanks for tuning in and best regards,
Marcsi
If you are interested in finding out more about this little treat, click here.
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