What is a Kolache?

Kolaches are a Czech pastry consisting of a light sweet dough filled with fruit that immigrants introduced to Texas when they settled here in the 1850’s. The word kolache comes from kolae, which is the Czech word for, “cake.” While traditional kolaches are filled with fruit and jam, the Texan style pastry includes savory, meat-filled versions, too.

Where is the Kolache Capital of Texas?

You wouldn’t think a pastry could inspire a controversy, but that’s exactly what happened with Kolaches here in Texas. While it hasn’t yet come to fisitcuffs, the towns of Caldwell and West both claim to be the Kolache capital of Texas.

As proof, Caldwell throws a big Caldwell Kolache Festival every September.

West, on the other hand, took the legal route by going through the state legislature and having itself officially appoihnted the Home of the Official Texas State Kolache.

Which side am I on in this debate?

In my opinion, when it comes to pastries, the more the merrier. So I was happy to learn that there are other kolache festivals in Texas, including:

Kolache Festival in Bernhard, Texas

Hallettsville, Texas Kolache Festival

Regional Baked Goods

I recently tried kolaches for the first time, y’know, for research purposes! ;p What sorts of baked goods do they eat where you live? Have you fallen in love with another country’s pastries?

More A to Z blog posts

This was my post for the letter J of the A to Z blogging challenge. Tune in tomorrow to see what quirky Texan thing the letter K will bring!

In the meantime, click on this link to find out what other A to Z blogging challenge folks are writing about.