The widespread use of grated potato dishes is a feature of the national cuisine of Belarusians, which was formed at the end of the nineteenth century and has been preserved to this day. South America is considered the birthplace of potatoes. Wild varieties can still be seen there. And it was brought to Belarus by Frantisek Stefan Sapega in the middle of the 17th century.
Initially, potatoes were not a popular dish. They were added to soups, fed to domestic animals, made into starch, and even used to wash fabrics with the grated mass. The familiar potato pancakes – draniki (from the word “drapit” – to grate, crush, break) appeared much later.
Potatoes are a very filling product. That is why they are called "the second bread". There are about 300 different recipes for cooking potato dishes in Belarus, many of which are passed down from generation to generation. For example, in 2017, the traditional dish of Vitebsk region - “Dumplings with “souls” was included in the State List of Historical and Cultural Values of Belarus.
In order to introduce guests to the traditions of Belarusian housewives, learn secret recipes and taste unique potato dishes, gastronomic festival "Bulba-Kartoshka-Potatoes" was held in Vitebsk. And not just a festival, but a large-scale event with competitions for the best dish and the best district with a presentation of Belarusian potato dishes, a large concert program, a theatrical performance and tasting. At the site of RUE "Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus", they told how to grow potatoes from a test tube.
In addition to traditional potato dishes, guests were surprised by delicacies: potato croquettes with meat, dranburgers, brushwood, rolls, as well as "prasnaki", "tsyartsyukha", "knyshi" and "zhuliki". The most unusual dish was the potato-chocolate cake - an exquisite dessert in which not everyone could feel the potato notes. And the winner in the nomination "Culinary Masterpiece" was dressed tench: - tench skin was stuffed with minced fish, rolled into a roll and covered with airy mashed potatoes.
The atmospheric and colorful festival was held for the first time, but was awarded a certificate "For contribution to the development of domestic and inbound tourism." Popularization of national cuisine is an integral part of the cultural heritage of Belarus.