The traditional Polish Christmas Eve supper, known as Wigilia, consists of 12 distinct dishes symbolizing the 12 apostles and the 12 months of the year. This meal is strictly meatless, focusing instead on fish, grains, and forest products. The "canonical" list typically includes: (1) Barszcz Czerwony (Clear red borscht served with "uszka" mushroom dumplings), (2) Mushroom Soup, (3) Karp (Fried or jellied carp), (4) Herring in oil or cream, (5) Pierogi with sauerkraut and forest mushrooms, (6) Gołąbki (Cabbage rolls stuffed with buckwheat or rice), (7) Kapusta z Grochem (Cabbage with split peas), (8) Ryba po Grecku (Fish served under a bed of root vegetables), (9) Kutia (A sweet grain pudding with poppy seeds and honey), (10) Makowiec (Poppy seed roll), (11) Piernik (Gingerbread cake), and (12) Kompot z Suszu (A traditional drink made from smoked and dried fruits). In 2026, while modern families may swap one or two items, the ritual of tasting every single dish to ensure good luck for the coming year remains a cornerstone of Polish identity.