The first time I heard of Dyngus Day was when I moved to Western, NY state. Dyngus Day is a Polish-American holiday celebrated the day after Easter. Traditionally, men throw water on women and hit them with pussy willows. The next day women can do the same back. I don’t know if anyone actually does this but Buffalo, NY has a large Dyngus Day celebration with a parade and many events.
I thought it would be fun to make a Dyngus Day themed bento lunch and figure out ways to make pussy willows out of food. I ended up with sweet and savory edible pussy willows.
I bought pussy willows at Wegmans because I wanted to look at real ones while I worked on this bento. In the grocery store a man said to me, “You are Polish!”. I was a little confused at first because I am not Polish and wondered why this random man would think so. Then I remembered the pussy willows in my cart. I responded that my husband is Polish. The man asked if I knew what people did with the pussy willows. I said, “yes” and quickly moved on to do other shopping.
Container: Rubbermaid TakeAlong
Vegetables: Red bell pepper
Fruit: Apple and strawberries (in white Wilton cup)
American Flag: Peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread with Fruit Roll-Ups details
Polish Flag: Peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread with Fruit Roll-Ups details
White Eagle: Tortilla (Coat of Arms of Poland), used red food coloring for details
Pussy Willows: Pretzel sticks, white chocolate with a little black food coloring (left), cream cheese (right), unsweetened cocoa powder
Linking to:
Eclectic Lamb 
Interesting post, and love how you have done the details.
Thank you so much! It was fun to work on, especially the pussy willows.
I didn’t know too and thanks for sharing. I love this bento and all the nice detailings that you added!
Thank you so much!
Don’t know about this day either, but love ur lovely bento. 🙂
Thank you!
Great story & bento box! I’ve never heard of Dyngus Day before.
Thank you! I was very surprised by the man in the grocery store.
I would have been too…and I also would have reacted the same way you did. 🙂
Your pussy willows turned out great!
Thank you! I was happy with them and am thinking about another bento I can use them in.
awesome lunch and neat story!
Thanks. I want to do more cultural themed lunches.
Looks tasty and I learned something new! I love it 😀 Thanks for linking up to Meatless Monday!
Thank you!
love the story behind the bento. it was very interesting.
Thank you! I did not know about Dyngus Day before I moved to Western New York State.