What is a kolache? Why this puff pastry became a South Dakota food favorite
Makenzie Huber
This article is one of 18 South Dakota food favorites. For the complete list, go here.
Kolache: A Czech puff pastry with fruit pocketed in the middle, such as poppy seeds, prunes, lemons, peaches or cherries; can be topped with streusel or frosting.
Kolaches may not be an official state food, but they're a staple in South Dakota culture, according to Frank Kloucek.
The former state legislator tried bringing forward a bill to establish the kolache as the state's official pastry, but it was struck down. Since he's no longer in the legislature, he doesn't plan on introducing the bill again, but said the treat remains South Dakota's "unofficial pastry."
"A kolache a day is the healthy way," said Kloucek, who claims a kolache can be eaten for breakfast, afternoon snack or late night snack. "It's important to South Dakota because it's part of our cultural heritage and it tastes excellent."
Kolaches made their way to South Dakota via immigrants from Czechoslovakia in the late 1800s. A number of immigrants settled in southeast South Dakota, then moved to other areas of the state.
Thousands of kolaches are made for Tabor's Czech days each year. Lori Pietz and her husband regularly sell the treats in stores across the state through their company, Pietz' Kuchen Kitchen.
Pietz said she can remember watching her mother and both grandmothers make the pastries. Her mother started making them as young as 10 years old from her family's recipe, which likely started with her great grandfather who immigrated to the state.
"It's something commonly made and passed onto us, the younger generations," Pietz said. "Once you eat that, it becomes part of your life, especially if it comes from your grandma."