What in the World is a Zap Zap!?
A Polish street-food staple shows up here in Sarasota!
Let’s see a show of hands. How many of you out there in our mostly well-informed food audience are schooled in late 70s Polish street food? Hands, hands… OK, well, just a couple of you WAY in the back. For the rest of you, you’re about to go to class…
Zapiekanka – Yes? No? None of you are nodding. 😁
Back in the 70s (yes, the 1970s!), this simple, open-faced sandwich had its heyday on the streets of Poland. The recipe was and continues to be very straightforward.
Take a baguette and cut it in half. Top it with sauteed mushrooms and grated cheese. Then, toast it until the bread is crispy and the cheese has melted. Simple, right? Yes, and unbelievably delicious when it’s done right!
Enter the “Zap Zap.” It’s a super long way from the streets of Poland to sun-drenched Sarasota. Of all of the places that this savory sandwich could have ended up, Siesta Key seems a pretty unlikely landing spot.
Tucked away in the northern corner of a two-story strip center on Ocean Boulevard is a place that’s bringing Eastern European street food to life!
Hidden among the tasty treats on the menu at The Duo – Döner and Deli (5049 Ocean Blvd. | 941- 929-3025) is the Zap Zap. Yes, you’ll have to look past the döner kabob sandwiches, bowls, and wraps. Past the Smashburgers and the sweets. But up there, in the top right-hand corner of that backlit menu board, live the Zap Zaps.
Yes, there are multiple Zap Zap options. You didn’t think the choices were going to be straightforward here, did you?…
Chef/Owner Jakob Skoczylas made life easy for me on my Zap Zap day. I asked, he answered.
The Question – What is the most popular (my translation = best) Zap Zap?
The Answer – #3! The Zap Zap with cheese, mushrooms, and salami.
Let’s put this thing together, shall we?!
1️⃣ The sliced baguette with cheese and mushrooms goes into the toaster.
2️⃣ After it’s properly melty, it’s topped with the salami and toasted again.
3️⃣ Next, an array of toppings await! (make your Zap Zap your very own!)
4️⃣ Finally, it’s sauced and ready to eat!
📝 For the sauce, the traditional Zapiekanka calls for ketchup. I’m not much for the “red sugar” unless it’s on a pile of fries or tater tots. But in this case, it works great. I combined it with the savory garlic sauce for a big finish! Also, this comes in 1 foot and ½ foot varieties. A 1 foot Zap Zap is enough for two people.
💭 Some final Zap Zap thoughts… Since most of you have never dined on Polish street food, I’ll give you a comparison that you’ll probably be able to relate to.
Back in the mid-70s (same time frame as the invention of the Zapiekanka), the frozen food giant, Stouffer’s, launched their French Bread Pizza. Now, I’m not 100% certain that there’s a connection here. And, of course, I would never want to unintentionally start some sort of international culinary controversy. But the two products are remarkably similar. I mean, it’s really uncanny… 😉
The best description I can give all of you who haven’t had a Zap Zap experience yet is this: it’s a turbocharged, souped-up French bread pizza. So, if that kind of thing is your thing, then the Zap Zap should definitely be your next thing!! 😁
~ LH
⚡Quick Bites
🆕 It’s All About the Bread. Anyone who reads us regularly knows that we just love to support our local small businesses (it’s actually part of our mission!). This one is particularly special.
Kelsey Simpson is a baker. Not just any old baker. A sourdough baker! Anyone who has made sourdough bread from scratch knows what the commitment to that living “mother” means. You’ve gotta really want it.
Through her Fern & Flour Company, you can enjoy her inventive and delicious sourdough creations each and every week! Her dedication to the craft can be savored in every tasty bite of her rotating weekly offerings.
Interested? We’re going to make this as easy as we can for you. To schedule a “Porch Pickup,” directly from the Kelsey and the Fern & Flour Company… CLICK HERE! 🥖
To follow Kelsey and her adventures in baking, check out her IG PAGE! 📸
🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD INFO🗓️
Here is some local food information that we think you might find interesting. We’ve provided you with a link to more info.
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