Dumplings (Polish: pierogi) are mainly associated with Polish cuisine, but they are also known in Lithuania, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, China, Japan and Italy. They are prepared from rolled-out dough filled with stuffing and then baked, boiled or fried in deep fat. Polish dumplings are most commonly boiled, sometimes fried after boiling in order to acquire golden brown color and crispness; baked dumplings are quite rare. Among the most popular fillings there are: potatoes with cheese or cheese itself in the sweet version of this dish, sauerkraut with mushrooms, meat, seasonal fruits, e.g. berries, and buckwheat with cheese. Dumplings can be served as a spicy or sweet dish, depending on the type of fillings and extras.
