Although highlander cuisine and halal food differ in many ways, both have their roots in tradition, culture and religion. They may not be completely incompatible, but you can find some similarities and opportunities to complement each other!

Similarities between highlander cuisine and halal food? First of all both cuisines use mutton, which is allowed in Islam and appreciated in Podhale.  This is a big advantage, and another? Pork is rarely used in highland cuisine, which is strictly forbidden in Islam. Both highlander cuisine and halal food are based on easily available potatoes, which are healthy and filling. Both cuisines value dairy products, especially sheep’s cheeses, which are characteristic of Podhale and at the same time compatible with halal.

Halal restaurant near me

Can highland cuisine and halal food complement each other? Of course.  The kitchen in Podhale can adapt to the requirements of halal ritual slaughter, which consists in quickly bleeding the animal. Middle Eastern tourists are Muslims, so they don’t eat pork. As they emphasize, halal food is distinguished by high quality, purity and safety, because it does not contain harmful additives, preservatives and dyes.

Is that all that both kitchens have in common? Highlander cuisine is aromatic herbs: mainly garlic, marjoram and cumin. Similar spices are also used in the preparation of halal food, although much more spices are used here – chilli peppers, cinnamon, cardamom and curry.

That’s all? There is one more positive feature in the traditional highland cuisine – alcohol is not used in the preparation of dishes, which is forbidden in Islam.

Restaurant Halal Zakopane

Halal restaurants are also appearing in Zakopane, where guests from Oman, Yemen and Saudi Arabia can eat well! Here are a few dishes that guests from the Middle East can try while in Zakopane.

• Kwaśnica – is a sour soup made of sauerkraut and mutton, which warms and fills you up.
• Moskole – are potato pancakes baked on a baking sheet with a crispy crust and a soft interior. They are made of boiled and mashed potatoes, flour, water and salt. They can be eaten sweet or savory, e.g. with bryndza (sheep’s cheese) or garlic butter.
• Mutton – is mutton meat that is allowed in Islam and appreciated in Podhale. They are grilled or baked in the oven and then served with garlic or horseradish sauce.
• Oscypek – is a hard, smoked sheep’s milk cheese that can be eat it cold or hot, e.g. fried in a pan or grilled with cranberries, it’s a real delicacy!
• Bryndza – is a rennet sheep’s cheese with a delicate nutty flavor and a sour note.