Mirepoix is a popular name for vegetables that are usually used for cooking broth as a base for many soups, such as chicken soup or vegetable soup. Mirepoix consists of celery and parsley roots, leek, carrots, in some regions also cabbage, parsley top, or previously roasted onion. The Polish name of mirepoix – włoszczyzna – is closely associated with Italy (Polish: Włochy), as most of these vegetables were brought to Poland from Italy by Queen Bona Sforza – the second spouse of Polish king Sigismund I the Old. New plants quickly gained popularity in cold climate, their roots can be easily stored even for weeks and they are an excellent addition to dishes in winter too.
