Celebrating Ash Wednesday with Haluski: A Lenten Tradition

Celebrating Ash Wednesday with Haluski: A Lenten Tradition

Today marks Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season, a time of reflection, prayer, and sacrifice for many Catholics, including our family. As part of our observance, we follow the tradition of abstaining from meat today and every Friday during Lent. This means it’s the perfect time to prepare one of our favorite Lenten meals—Haluski!

A Pittsburgh Lenten Tradition

Being from around Pittsburgh, Lent is a big deal here in the North. One of the most recognizable traditions is the abundance of Friday Fish Frys—you can find them on nearly every corner, hosted by churches, fire halls, and community centers. But beyond the fish, this time of year is also rich in ethnic comfort foods, particularly those we fondly call hunky foods—a term often used to describe the Eastern European dishes passed down through generations.

Two of the most well-loved Lenten comfort foods in this region are Haluski and Pierogies, along with all kinds of Fish. Haluski and Pierogies of which have deep roots in the German, Slovak, Croatian, and Lithuanian heritage that so many of us share around the area, along with other Eastern European Ethnicities like Polish, Hungarian, etc. That also mixes with the Italians, Serbians, and Greeks just to name some of the ethnicities around here. My family comes from a mix of these backgrounds (German, Slovak, Croatian, and Lithuanian) and my husband has added his Italian side into the mix, making our home a melting pot of delicious old-world recipes that have been passed down through generations.

The great thing is, I just described most of the Pittsburgh area where we are all a melting pot of ethnicities that the families keep the traditions and really good comfort food alive passed down through the generations.

What is Haluski?

Haluski is a simple, hearty, and comforting dish made of cabbage, egg noodles, and butter—lots of butter! It’s a staple in many Eastern European households and a go-to meal during Lent because it’s meatless but still incredibly satisfying. Plus, it’s super easy to make with just a few basic ingredients.

Our Family Recipe for Haluski

Ingredients:

• Half a head of green cabbage, chopped

• One medium onion, sliced

• 12 oz. egg noodles (homemade or store-bought)

• 1 stick of butter (or more, depending on your taste!)

• Salt & black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Boil the noodles according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.

2. Sauté the cabbage and onions: In a large pan, melt half the butter and add the sliced onions and chopped cabbage. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage softens and caramelizes slightly (about 15-20 minutes).Pro tip: you could also cut up the cabbage and onion throw it in a roasting pan with butter and seasoning and roast it in the oven while the noodles cook. 

3. Combine the noodles and cabbage: Add the cooked noodles to the pan with the cabbage and onion mixture. Stir everything together, adding the rest of the butter and seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.

4. Cook for another 5 minutes on low heat, allowing the flavors to meld together. Serve warm and enjoy!

A Meal Rooted in Tradition

Haluski is one of those meals that takes us back to childhood dinners with our grandparents and reminds us of the strong cultural ties we share with our ancestors. While simple, it’s deeply comforting and holds a special place in our Lenten meals.

As we enter this season of reflection and sacrifice, we are reminded of the importance of family, faith, and tradition. Whether you're making Haluski, enjoying a fish fry, or simply spending time with loved ones, may this Lenten season bring you peace and renewal.

What are your favorite Lenten dishes? Let us know in the comments!