nalesniki

See also: naleśniki

English

Etymology 1

Home-made Polish naleśniki filled with sweet white cheese

From Polish naleśniki, plural of naleśnik. Doublet of nalistniki and nalysnyky.

Noun

nalesniki (plural nalesniki or nalesnikis)

1. A type of Polish and Eastern European crepe, often eaten cold with jam or cheese.

   Coordinate terms: nalistniki (Russian), nalysnyky (Ukrainian)

   Alternative forms: naleśniki, nalisniki

   • 1845, Amalia v[on] Kochheim, “Various Preparations of Eggs”, in A Handbook of Foreign Cookery; Principally French, German and Danish: Intended as a Supplement to All English Cookery Books, London: John Murray, […], →OCLC, page 150:

     Nalesnikis, or Polish Pancakes. […] Nalesnikis with Preserves.

   • 1896 August 29, [Dramatic and Musical Criticisms]‎^[1]:

     It is a good rule to eat symphonically with the locality. When you are in Norfolk, Va., it would be silly to ask for a glass of beer instead of a mint-julep, or to neglect hog-fish and sigh for pumpkin pie. Would you demand pompano at Bethlehem, N. H., bird’s nest soup at Lenox, pork and beans at Shanghai, whitebait at Cracow, or ciernikis and nalesnikis at Worcester during the music festival?

   • 2002, Michael J. Baruch, “Nalesniki”, in The New Polish Cuisine, Del Mar, Calif.: LBCM Publishing, Inc., →ISBN, page 106:

     Most Poles are accustomed to a nalesniki that is traditionally filled with sweetened farmer’s cheese, sautéed mushrooms, fresh fruit jams or preserves, or even fresh fruits and homemade ice cream.

   • 2017 June 6, “STELMASIK, Mary Leokadia (nee Grys) – May 31, 1926 to June 3, 2017”, in Toronto Star, Toronto, Ont., →ISSN, →OCLC, “Obituaries” section, page GT5, column 1:

     Mary never failed to express and share her love of family, friends, her proud and humble beginnings, holiday gatherings, gardening, birds and squirrels, trees in bloom, polka and big bands, fish ‘n chips, nalesniki, a good cup of tea or a drop of whiskey, her opinions on politics and those Toronto Maple Leafs.

   • 2017 September 7, “St. Stanislaus Annual Polish Festival ‘Dozynki’”, in Hartford Courant, volume CLXXXI, number 250, Hartford, Conn., →ISSN, →OCLC, page B5:

     Homemade Polish foods! babka bread, pierogi, nalesniki, golabki, kielbasa, potato pancakes, bread, pastries & more!

   • 2019 April 26, Marcus Dieterle, quoting Ed Okonowicz, “Museum event to explore tales of cuisine, culture”, in Weekend Whig, 177th year, number 79, Elkton, Md., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 2, column 2:

     In the neighborhood I grew up, it was kielbasa, kishka, pierogies, rye bread, pastries, nalesnikis, all kinds of things like that.

   • 2019 September 20, Richard S. Dargan, “Polish perfection: Red Rock Deli offers its well-prepared specialties at new location”, in Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, N.M.: Journal Publishing Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 19, column 4:

     Light, bright and lemony, a dessert of nalesniki ($4.99) presents a welcome contrast to all the heavy food that preceded it.

   • 2020 January 23, Andrew Z. Galarneau, “Fresh take on Poland”, in The Buffalo News, Buffalo, N.Y., →ISSN, →OCLC, “Gusto Thursday” section, page 11, column 4:

     Desserts of note include a selection of brilliant cakes, but my vote goes to nalesniki, cheese-stuffed crepes, that made me get the attraction.

   • 2021 September 26, Maribeth Renne, “Flat Dog Diner has Polish specialties: Tiny Vero Beach eatery offers sandwiches, more”, in The Stuart News, volume 86, number 87, Stuart, Fla.: Treasure Coast Newspapers, →OCLC, page 10A, column 1:

     Lastly, we had crepes ($8.99). Crepes in a Polish restaurant? Yes, Polish crepes, or nalesniki, are divine at the Flat Dog Diner.

   • 2024 October 3, Jamie Donnelly, “A foodie’s guide to Tucson Meet Yourself”, in Arizona Daily Star, volume 147, number 277, Tucson, Ariz.: Lee Enterprises, →ISSN, →OCLC, “Caliente” section, page 10, column 2:

     If you are craving something sweet, they [the Lajkonik Polish Folk Ensemble] will also be selling nalesniki, which is sweet cheese crepes topped with whipped cream.

Further reading

• pancake § Poland on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Etymology 2

From Russian налесники (nalesniki), plural of налесник (nalesnik).

Noun

nalesniki (plural nalesniki or nalesnikis)

1. Alternative form of nalistniki.
   • 1948 April 11, “Detroit Workingmen’s Cooperative Restaurants”, in The Worker, number 15, New York, N.Y., →OCLC, page 2-A, column 1:

     TRY OUR SPECIALTIES / • Borsht / • Golubtsi / • Nalesniki / • Vareniki

   • 1959, William Heptinstall, “Nalesnikis”, in Hors d’œuvre and Cold Table: A Book of Tried and Trusted Recipes and Methods, London: Faber and Faber Ltd […], published 1968 (3rd impression), →ISBN, “Other Russian and Eastern European Dishes” section, page 242:

     Nalesnikis (Russian cuisine) are a type of kromesquis. […] When required, dip the nalesnikis in frying batter and fry in deep fat.

   • 2014 February 5, Mia Stainsby, “Olympic flavours: Beyond perogies and cabbage rolls: Because Russia is so vast, its cuisine reflects influences from Baltic and Asian to Mediterranean”, in The Vancouver Sun, Vancouver, B.C.: Postmedia Network Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, page D3, column 3:

     Borscht, perogies, halushky (potato dumplings), pelmenie, cabbage rolls, nalesniki (cheese blintzes), uzvar (beverage made from a dried fruit compote) and different meat pies were also rolled out.

   • 2015, Audrey Ward, “Minot, North Dakota 1949: Marketing Revival”, in Hidden Biscuits: Tales of Deep South Revivals Told by Heart, Eugene, Ore.: Resource Publications, →ISBN, page 129:

     I recognize a lot of the Russian conversation and stories even though I don't understand the language. Watching faces doles out more information than words through eyes, eyebrows, mouths shaped a certain way. And shifts of bodies tell me some things, too. Shoulders say a lot. Hands. Aunt Lucia’s hands caressing my cheek or the quick motion of patting my hair. Her hands fly making pelmeny—tiny meatballs for soup—or nalesniki, thin pancakes rolled, bathed in butter, served with peach or raspberry preserves and sour cream.

   • 2022 October 5, “Celebrating 30 years serving the Boundary area”, in Grand Forks Gazette, volume 125, number 40, Grand Forks, B.C., →ISSN, →OCLC, page A21:

     The Borscht Bowl has been serving up authentic Doukobor cuisine for over 26 years. Pyrahi, voreniki, nalesniki, kalachi and borscht are all made in-house using the freshest local ingredients. Conveniently located on Market Ave in downtown Grand Forks BC, The Borscht Bowl offers local Russian cuisine carefully prepared by owner Becki Fofonoff and her family.

Etymology 3

From Ukrainian налесники (nalesnyky), plural of налесник (nalesnyk).

Noun

nalesniki (plural nalesniki or nalesnikis)

1. Alternative form of nalysnyky.
   • 1990 June 11, Karin Orr, “Ukrainian crepes just like Suzettes”, in The Grand Rapids Press, Grand Rapids, Mich., →ISSN, →OCLC, page D3:

     Some people aren’t easily impressed. Linda Dudicz O’Meara, for example, remembers a time when her family went to a fancy restaurant where a waiter proudly presented crepes Suzette as the ultimate dessert. “My dad said, ‘Gee, they look just like nalesniki,’” laughs Linda, of Elmer Drive NE, “and we’ve had those all our lives!” Nalesniki are thin Ukrainian pancakes filled with an orange-flavored mixture of cheese, raisins and egg. […] After baking, nalesnikis reheat well in a covered dish in the microwave.

   • 2016 October 26, “35th Carpatho-Rusyn Celebration Sunday; Divine Liturgy Oct. 29-30”, in Latrobe Bulletin, volume 114, number 264, Latrobe, Pa., →OCLC, page 6, column 1:

     The day will highlight various aspects of Carpatho-Rusyn culture. Mouth-watering foods such as pirohi, holubki, halushki, kolbasi and sauerkraut, nalesniki (potato pancakes), soup and more.

   • 2017 January 14, Jamee A. Pierson, “Immigrant opens Ukrainian museum”, in The Gazette, volume 135, number 5, Cedar Rapids, Ia., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 11A, column 5:

     To complete the experience, Dovganyuk provides guests with authentic dishes from Ukraine, including nalesniki, a crepe with cheese and raisins; kampot, a homemade fruit drink; and varenyky, dumplings with potatoes and chicken.

   • 2018 December 14, Jasmine Mangalaseril, “Hearty Ukrainian and Russian favourites at Teremok Café”, in Waterloo Region Record, Kitchener, Ont., →ISSN, →OCLC, page C4, columns 1–2:

     Here, home is Ukraine, as alluded to by delicate wood carvings, boldly painted figures and an impressive line of babushka’d nesting dolls. Home is also on the menu. Large boards offer house-made pierogi, pelmeni and nalesniki (crepes filled with meat, cheese or fruit), as well as traditional soups, such as red and green borscht, solyanka and shchi (cabbage soup with beef). […] Frozen soups, dumplings, nalesniki and pierogi casseroles are available to enjoy at home.