Mizeria - Polish Cucumber Salad

Mizeria is one of the classic dishes of Polish cuisine – humble yet full of flavor, with a history rooted in simplicity and accessibility. Its name recalls a time when it was a rather modest side dish, while today it evokes the freshness of a summer dinner.

In fact, there are several theories regarding the origin of its name. One is somewhat perverse. According to it, the name derives from the French word misère ("misery"), which may have been an ironic comment from the aristocracy regarding this dish originating in rural kitchens. Another theory claims that the name "mizeria" comes from the adjective "mizerny" (or from the Latin miseria), meaning exactly the same as the previous one, meaning "misery" or "poverty". In the past, this salad was a cheap, "miserable" side dish with low nutritional value – hence the name's association with something poor. In my opinion, this is the most likely and realistic origin.

History of Origin

Cucumbers apparently appeared in Poland as early as the Middle Ages, gradually becoming a part of the peasant diet. Thanks to their ease and speed of production, their cultivation spread quite easily. Another legend says that it was Queen Bona Sforza, the Italian wife of Sigismund I (16th century), who introduced cucumbers to Poland along with other Mediterranean vegetables. She supposedly said that eating this salad made her miss Italy and cry, hence another version of its name, "mizeria" - "grief, misery".

Although we don't know the exact moment when someone decided to mix cucumbers with cream, we do know that in the Middle Ages and later, the basic sauces were milk, sour milk, or vinegar—all depending on the availability and affordability of the ingredients. Mizeria gained real popularity during the communist era – when scarce ingredients were available in canteens and milk bars, and its simplicity and low price perfectly fit the realities of everyday life. It became a very popular side dish: sour cream, cucumber, and a simple, quick-to-prepare sauce – the perfect combination in an era of rampant shortages and simplified home cooking.

Regional Variations.

Of course, each region in Poland has its own variation, slightly different from the classic version.

In Greater Poland, a version of cucumber salad is known that looks slightly different from the classic one. There, the cucumbers are often cut diagonally ("shaga") – this gives the pieces a different texture and allows them to better absorb the dressing. Instead of sour cream, some people use buttermilk, which gives the salad a lighter, more sour flavor. This Greater Poland version of cucumber salad could also be served with chopped parsley instead of dill.

In Mazovia, around Warsaw, the so-called Warsaw-style cucumber salad is becoming popular, prepared with sour cream or yogurt, but with the addition of vinegar (usually spirit vinegar) and a slight sweetness topped with sugar. The result is a sweet-sour, slightly tart version of the dish. In this version, the cucumbers are salted and squeezed dry before adding the sauce, which enhances their crunchiness and flavor.

In Silesia, a simple version of mizeria is used, in which the cucumbers are grated or thinly sliced, salted, and after a few minutes mixed with sour cream. Some people add a generous amount of dill, others just salt and pepper. Some prefer a thicker sauce – without vinegar or flavor combinations, or a richly creamy version that is chilled before serving.

In Kashubia, the Tricity region, and Pomerania, there's a variant called "mizeria po kaszubsku" (Kashubian style mizeria), characterized by a sweet and sour sauce: thin cucumber slices are topped with vinegar and water mixed with sugar, often pepper and chopped dill. This makes the salad more refreshing, perfect as an accompaniment to grilled dishes and light meats. In some regions of Poland, including Podlasie and the Lublin region, a neutral-flavored "mizeria" (mizeria) is popular – cucumbers are thinly sliced, lightly soaked in salted water, and then combined with sour cream or yogurt, without added sugar or vinegar. The dominant flavor is the natural cucumber, along with pure dill or sometimes chives, without the sweet-and-sour flavor.

In Lower Silesia and the Kielce region, homemade versions are also available, adding grated apple in addition to dill. This version appears in some modern recipes as a refreshing alternative to traditional "mizeria," although it has no confirmed ethnographic origins – rather, it's an original twist inspired by the simple traditions of central Poland.

Polish regions offer a variety of versions – from sweeter to more sour, always with cucumber as the main ingredient.