We Nebraskans love our baked goods, and for some of us it seems to be in our genes. A lot of Nebraskans descended from the Czech immigrants, and we've carried on some of the old country traditions. This includes an undying love of the delicious kolach.
The tiny Knox County town of Verdigre lays claim to a pretty lofty title: Kolach Capital of the World.
Every year, the whole town, folks from surrounding communities, and people from all over the state turn out for Kolach Days, a festival celebrating everything about the Czech culture.
Kolach Days is a town tradition that stretches back to the 1930s, but a relative newcomer to the town is now an integral part of this fun and tasty festival.
The Verdigre Bakery has been making and serving delectable kolaches of just about every variety since the early 2000s. It's a small, family owned business that makes all of their delicious treats by hand. Other than a few modern conveniences, the process is very similar to the one used by traditional bakers in the former Czechoslovakia.
The bakery turns out the sweet (but not too sweet) filled pastries all year round, but, as you might expect, they really step it up during Kolach Days. They work all day turning out hundreds and hundreds of kolaches for the hungry revelers who can't wait to get their hands on the tender traditional pastries.The Verdigre Bakery also serves plenty of other baked goods, including bread, pies, cakes, cookies, and more. Everything is just as delicious as you remember the treats that came straight from Grandma's kitchen.
This video gives a rare look at the inner workings of the bakery and the production of the always-popular kolaches.
Are you hungry yet? Visit the Verdigre Bakery at 405 Main Street in Verdigre. It's always best to call ahead to place an order so you won't be disappointed. You can reach the bakery at 402-668-2233. It's open 7:00 am to 4:00 pm every day but Friday, when it stays open until 5:00.
Another great town with a strong cultural identity is Dannebrog, which you can read about here.
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