By Anthony Lombardi

 

Ball State University junior Lina Olsauskas was nervous the first time she cooked Kugelis, a Lithuanian potato cake. She was nervous she would mess up the dish. She was nervous her family wouldn’t like it.

 

Now, the dish that has long been a staple in Lithuanian culture, is the only food she knows how to make.

 

“I cook one thing, and I cook it well,” Olsauskas said. 

 

Growing up in a Lithuanian family, Olsauskas has always eaten Kugelis. Her grandmother, who came to America during World War II, used to make it for her when she was a child. Her mother has cooked it for her entire life. It became not only Olsauskas’ favorite Lithuanian dish, but also her favorite food.

 

“I love potatoes. Potatoes in anything makes everything better,” Olsauskas said. “Bacon and potatoes.”

 

While ingredients other than bacon, such as onions, can be added, Olsauskas said she prefers a simple Kugelis, even if making the dish requires some time and effort.

 

“It’s not hard, you just have to commit to it [making a Kugelis],” she said. “It takes about an hour and a half for the full process … God, [grating the potatoes] takes a toll on your muscles.”

 

Though she doesn’t remember the first time she tried the dish, Olsauskas said she can’t imagine her life without it.

 

“If i could eat anything, it would be [Kugelis],” Olsauskas said. “It’s just a mouthful of delicious.”